‘I might as well have stayed in England’

A ‘TORNADO’ reported in the Larnaca area was yesterday dismissed as a “strong gust of wind” by the British Bases.

State radio reported that a tornado had hit Pyla village at 10.30am. Bases spokesman Dennis Barnes told the Cyprus Mail that the bases had received initial reports of a tornado and troops were sent to the scene.

“Upon investigation, we can say that it was not a tornado but strong winds instead, which took the roof off a private home. The Fire Services were notified and promptly arrived at the scene.”

He added that there were no reports of any injuries.

The head of the Meteorological Services explained that a low-pressure system centred in Rhodes is to blame for all the rain seen across the island over the last two days.

Kyriacos Theofilou said that by 8am yesterday, 12 millimetres of rain had fallen in February, which is approximately 15 per cent of the average rainfall of 81mm for the month.

“Today, the rain is forecast to intensify, with a possibility of hail and probable snow over the mountains, but things should start improving from Thursday onwards.”

As far as temperatures are concerned, Theofilou said that it had reached 18C inland and along the coasts yesterday, “which is what some European countries would like to experience in the summer!”

He added that the average temperature for the time of year is 16 degrees.

“However, this is not going to last, with 14C forecast for today inland and only five degrees in the mountains.”

John Hughes, a British tourist who is currently holidaying on the island, was left frustrated by the weather.

“It’s so typical,” he said. “The one week when my girlfriend and I managed to get time off work to go on holiday is ruined by the weather.

“I might as well have stayed in England after seeing all this rain. We arrived in Larnaca on Monday and were really looking forward to taking a walk on the beach, but what was the point?

“It hardly stopped raining all afternoon. We therefore decided to come to Nicosia the next day, but it’s not much fun when you have to carry umbrellas with you all the time.”