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Worldwide
-DW Information
Ankara, Jan 25: A uncommon snowstorm introduced the Greek capital Athens to a standstill on Monday.
Flights have been additionally grounded at Istanbul airport in Turkey.
Giant elements of each international locations have been lined in a blanket of snow, an uncommon incidence for the southern Mediterranean international locations, however the second time that it has occurred in two years.
The snow introduced down the roof of one of many buildings at Istanbul’s main air site visitors hub, grounding flights to and from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Center East.
Nonetheless, Athens appeared worse hit by the storm — referred to as “Elpida” or “Hope” in Greek — with in a single day temperatures of -14 levels Celsius (6.8 levels Fahrenheit) forcing the closure of colleges and vaccination facilities.
Greeks informed to remain house
The Greek authorities declared a vacation for elements of the nation, together with the capital, to maintain individuals from going exterior.
“We ask residents to keep away from leaving their houses. It will likely be a tough evening,” Local weather Change and Civil Safety Minister Christos Stylianides mentioned.
“The peak of the snow is unprecedented in some areas,” he added.
Tons of of drivers within the metropolis have been caught of their vehicles for hours with rescue employees braving the chilly to free the stranded motorists.
A snowstorm in February final yr left 4 individuals useless throughout Greece in addition to reducing energy for hundreds of residents for a number of days.
Kostas Lagouvardos, analysis director on the Nationwide Observatory of Athens, informed ANT1 TV that the capital had not seen back-to-back winters like this since 1968.
Snow fell on a number of Aegean islands, together with on the seashores of fashionable vacationer spot Mykonos.
Excessive climate within the southern Mediterranean
Neighboring Albania additionally closed all elementary and excessive faculties for 3 days as a result of freezing temperatures.
Snow fell throughout Turkey earlier than reaching the northern area of Syria, house to hundreds of refugees in makeshift camps, unprepared for the degrees of chilly the storm introduced.
Snow flurries are anticipated to proceed in Greece and Turkey for a number of days.
Greece additionally suffered lethal and damaging wildfires final summer time that lasted for days. These have been put right down to the results of local weather change that will increase the frequency and severity of maximum climate.
Supply: DW
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