Greece's Fight Against Climate Change: How Storm Bora Impacted Rhodes

Greece's Storm Bora: A Wake-up Call for Climate Change

Greece is witnessing the impact of climate change firsthand. Storm Bora has caused devastating floods on the island of Rhodes, affecting homes and businesses alike. On Sunday, torrential rains led to severe flooding, forcing authorities to temporarily restrict vehicle use.

Flooding in Ialysos

The city of Ialysos was hit the hardest, with over 650 emergency calls made to pump water from buildings. Sofia Kanelli, a local resident, described the situation: “The situation is tragic; some have lost their homes.”

Authorities Respond to the Crisis

• The fire service evacuated approximately 80 individuals to safer areas.
• Reports indicated one fatality due to flash floods on another Aegean island.
• Vassilis Varthakogiannis from the fire brigade expressed concerns over ongoing bad weather.

In 2023 alone, over 20,000 tourists and locals were forced to evacuate due to wildfires, showcasing the growing threats from climate change.

Impacts on Tourism and Transportation

Heavy thunderstorms and rain have disrupted train services across mainland Greece, particularly affecting the central and northern regions. The devastation brought on by Storm Bora raises significant alarm about Greece's changing climate conditions.