The prolonged severe weather continues to cause serious problems in parts of Epirus and Corfu, with heavy rainfall, landslides, power outages and transport disruptions. Despite ongoing restoration efforts, residents of these areas remain on high alert as the ground remains saturated from continuous rainfall, while fears of new damage are intense.
In Corfu, although restoration efforts are underway, rainfall returned overnight, albeit with less intensity than previous days. However, concerns remain as the ground is still waterlogged and unstable, with the risk of new landslides being real. Special attention is required in areas with houses on higher ground, as the eroded condition of the subsoil can create dangers.
The situation remains difficult and the local community continues to face pressures, with rescue operations continuing daily for the evacuation of people and animals from affected areas. Authorities remain on 24-hour alert as new weather deterioration is expected in the coming days.
Residents fear that even light rain, without being a storm, could trigger new landslide phenomena, as the ground has already been saturated by continuous rainfall. Machinery is constantly working to clear roads, but at many road points one lane continues to be covered with soil, wood and trees. According to local authorities, damage to public infrastructure is estimated at several million euros.
Corfu schools closed – “Time needed, serious study required to heal the wounds,” says mayor
Giorgos Machimaris, mayor of North Corfu, emphasized speaking to ERTnews that this is a “dramatic situation prevailing in 20 communities and settlements of the North Corfu Municipality, with lack of water supply, electricity, accessibility and of course most importantly, danger for people who are inside the villages, not somewhere remote.” “All civil protection, municipal, regional, EMAK teams are operating. We are all continuously here to protect people’s lives from accidents,” he stressed.
Mr. Machimaris characteristically said that considerable time is needed, a very serious study, an intervention, to heal the wounds and at the same time protect for the coming years. “All schools and all cultural center operations will not function tomorrow either,” he said.
Serious problems in Arta, Ioannina, Preveza and Thesprotia
In Ioannina rainfall is still recorded and residents hope that the phenomena of previous days will not be repeated. In the Pedini area, lakes have formed. The phenomenon is not new, as during periods of heavy rainfall it is common. Although today the situation is better compared to yesterday, the water remains, creating a lake image within the fields. The parallel road to Egnatia had flooded yesterday, but today the water has been removed, which is positive.
The temperature has dropped significantly in Ioannina and the first snow has appeared on the surrounding mountains. The severe weather remains intense both in the city and generally in Epirus.
In recent days there have been impressive scenes from various areas. In Filippiada a horse rescue operation was carried out, which had been trapped in mud and flooded fields. The Preveza Special Multi-Mission Rescue Team located and freed the animal, providing help in a particularly difficult situation.
Similar scenes are recorded throughout Epirus. In Tzoumerka and Agnanta, the Fire Service provided assistance to residents in need, transporting even medical equipment, such as oxygen cylinders, to a patient who needed it urgently.
The region faces serious problems due to severe weather, with roads damaged or blocked, as well as electricity and water supply issues.
Forecasts indicate that better weather is expected tomorrow, however from the day after deterioration is predicted again, with new rainfall in the region.
