Greece Braces for Another Storm: The Impact of Elias Following the Devastation of Daniel

Greece Braces for Another Storm: The Impact of Elias Following the Devastation of Daniel

The Aftermath of Storm Daniel

Earlier this month, central Greece was severely affected by massive floods resulting from Storm Daniel. The aftermath was devastating, leading to the death of 16 people and causing widespread damage to property, farms, and infrastructure. The flooding, which affected 720 square kilometers across Greece’s farming heartland, led to significant losses. The storm extended its wrath to neighboring countries, including Bulgaria and Turkey, before reaching Libya, where the collapse of two dams led to numerous casualties.

Preparations in the Face of Storm Elias

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As the nation still grapples with the aftermath of Storm Daniel, emergency services in central Greece are now on high alert as another storm, named Elias, approaches the already devastated regions. Municipal and military crews are reinforcing flood defenses along rivers near the central cities of Larissa and Trikala. The storm has already caused landslides, leading to the closure of parts of a highway between Athens and the western port city of Patras. Forecasts predict the weather to worsen through Thursday, potentially affecting central Greece, the island of Evia to the east of Athens, and islands in the central Aegean Sea.

Climate Change: An Escalating Factor

Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and danger of storms such as Daniel to climate change. The situation in Greece was further exacerbated by wildfires, which led to a loss of vegetation and loosening of soils. These conditions are expected to amplify the impact of the oncoming storm Elias, fueling concern among emergency services and residents in the region.

The Challenges of Rescue and Recovery

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The rescue and recovery efforts post-Storm Daniel were significant, with more than 800 people rescued from floods in Greece over two days. However, the challenges were immense. Remote areas were difficult to reach due to washed-away roads, and frequent lightning limited the use of helicopters. Tracked vehicles and boats were deployed to help evacuate people, but the large volume of debris and the strength of the floodwaters limited their effectiveness.

The Road Ahead

As Greece braces for the impact of Storm Elias, the road to recovery looks long and arduous. The government has pledged over two billion euros in reconstruction funds, but the devastation caused by Storm Daniel, coupled with the anticipated impact of Storm Elias, could potentially overwhelm resources. The situation underscores the urgency of addressing climate change and building resilient infrastructure to safeguard against such extreme weather events in the future.