TORRENTIAL rain in Larnaca and Limassol yesterday caused floods and considerable damage.
In Larnaca, large expanses of land flooded in the Troulli area, prompting residents into repeating their request for the creation of a dam.
Millions of tons of water started from the occupied areas, north of Troulli, and within minutes, flooded the area’s river and neighbouring fields.
The same thing happened in the area a decade ago, when local communities called for a dam to be built between Troulli and Kellia.
Spyros Elenodorou, head of the Larnaca Communities Union, yesterday said it was unreasonable to build an entire dam for an area that only gets flooded once every decade.
Farmer Panayiotis Panayi was grateful for the rain. ”For three years now there has been no agriculture, especially last year, so let’s hope we do this year.”
But Troulli resident Klitos Sophocles, was concerned over the damage caused. “It comes with such force it causes a lot of damage, it uproots trees and even reaches the hotels.”
The Kiti-Mazotos road had to be closed due to floods, while drivers became trapped in their cars. The Fire Services responded to 13 calls for help.
There were also electricity cuts in Ayios Theodoros, Anglisides, Kofinou, Skarinou, Ayia Anna, Chirokitia, Klavdia and Xylotymbou.
The rain also created a number of problems in Limassol, where roads and homes were flooded. There was hail in some areas, while there were serious problems in Ayia Fyla.
A little after noon, lightening and thunder brought torrential rain.
According to the head of the Limassol Fire Services, George Makariou, the service received more than 40 calls.
In Ayia Fyla, tons of water and mud invaded a home from the back and came out of the front, leaving chaos behind it, including broken windows.
There was a foot of water, according to the homeowner. The municipality and fire services helped to drain the home, which has temporarily been deemed unsuitable for habitation.
“Water coming from the mountain took a detour at some point, broke the walls because of the force and quantity of water, and it all ended up in the home,” said Makariou.
