EAC Cyprus. (Famagusta Gazette)
Heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds battered Cyprus on Wednesday, bringing flash flooding, power cuts and road closures.
The Meteorology Department issued an orange warning from 3pm on Wednesday until 5am on Thursday, forecasting rainfall of between 55 and 70 millimetres an hour.
A CY-Alert emergency notification was sent to residents in the Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca districts as conditions worsened.
Paphos district was worst affected. Flash flooding, lightning strikes and strong winds cut power in communities including Peyia, Ineia and Kathikas.
The Fire Service responded to numerous calls to pump water from flooded basements and blocked streets.
The Peyia-Lara road was closed after the Aspros river overflowed, and police rescued six tourists from the Avakas Gorge after they were cut off by fast-flowing water. A flight from Glasgow to Paphos was diverted to Larnaca airport.
Elsewhere, falling trees and landslides affected roads, including the Orkontas-Pedoullas route and roads near Troodos. In Amargeti, heavy rain caused sudden flooding shortly after residents had dealt with a small brush fire.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and have urged motorists to drive with caution, use headlights and keep a safe distance.
There were heavy rains overnight in Paralimni, Ayia Napa and villages in the Famagusta area, but Thursday morning started clear and sunny.