Rainfall and hail close Nicosia roads (Update 3)

Due to heavy rainfall and the build-up of runoff water, Vikela Street, connecting the GSP football stadium to the ‘Orphanides’ traffic lights in Strovolos, Nicosia, has been closed to traffic for all vehicles, the police said late on Thursday afternoon.

Also closed to traffic were Alexandropouleos Street and Erythrou Stavrou Street in Strovolos, due to the overflowing of the Pedieos river.

The downpour caused water to build up on the tarmac on the Nicosia to Larnaca highway, on the stretch near Lymbia and Koshi. Motorists were urged to drive carefully and keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead.

Meanwhile the Fire Department assisted in two incidents of motorists trapped in their cars, one at the Pedieos river bridge, the other on Iosif Hadjiosif Avenue.

The first incident, at Pedieos, involved a woman and her child stranded in their car, which was nearly swept away. Passersby helped the two out of the car before the Fire Department arrived on the scene.

By 6pm, the Fire Department had received 150 calls for assistance. Most related to assisting stranded cars, unclogging sewerage drains, and pumping water out of homes.

Police were urging motorists to be extra cautious and avoid speeding, particularly while travelling in the Anthoupolis, Lakatamia and Kokkinotrimithia areas.

Tseri Avenue near the Lakatamia military airfield, and roads in the K Cineplex area in Archangelos, became particularly dangerous.

“Drivers are urged to be especially careful, drive at low speed, to turn the headlights of their vehicles on, and keep distance from vehicles ahead,” a police statement said.

Lakatamia municipality announced that its offices would remain open to address problems caused from the hailstorm in the area.

“Due to the natural disaster, many problems have occurred on the road network and in homes in our municipality,” an announcement said.

It added that area residents may call 22 364000, 22 364100 and 22 364081 to report any problems.

 

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