Just days after a deadly wildfire was brought under control by Greek authorities, torrential rains struck Monday, killing at least one and placing hellish pressure on an already-exhausted nation.
At least one man has died in Greece after a wall collapsed due to torrential rains and flooding, local officials told Reuters on Tuesday. The man was a cattle breeder, and was attempting to reach his animals when the sudden, unexpected weather event struck the city of Volos.
“It’s the most extreme weather in terms of the amount of rainfall within 24 hours since records have been kept in the country,” Climate Crisis and Civil Protection minister Vassilis Kikilias said in a statement, shared by the outlet. He urged residents to stay in doors, as traffic is currently restricted throughout the area.
A catastrophic flood event is unfolding across Greece, with up to 30 inches (762 mm) of rain falling in less than 24 hours.
This comes just days after the largest fire in the European Union’s recorded history tore through Northern Greece killing 20 and burning 200,000+ acres. pic.twitter.com/U7MmxZkqvi
— MyRadar Weather (@MyRadarWX) September 5, 2023
It’s unclear precisely how much rain has fallen, but MyRadar Weather estimates upwards of 30 inches (762 mm) fell in less than 24 hours. (RELATED: Thousands Forced To Flee As Wildfire Rages Through Greece)
The downpour came just days after the largest wildfire in the European Union’s recorded history ripped through northern parts of Greece, killing at least 20 people and destroying more than 200,000 acres of land.
“I am afraid that the careless summers, as we knew them … will cease to exist and from now on the coming summers are likely to be ever more difficult,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Tuesday, according to ABC. The rain is expected to ease on Wednesday, but much of the damage has already been done.
