A severe and slow-moving weather system, designated Storm Byron, unleashed torrential rains across Cyprus on Sunday, triggering widespread flooding, dangerous road conditions, and significant disruption, particularly in the western district of Paphos. Authorities mobilized emergency services, closed key thoroughfares, and issued urgent public warnings as the island braced for several more days of inclement weather. The storm, which had previously wrought havoc in Greece, represents one of the most intense meteorological events to hit the region this season.
The Cyprus Meteorological Service confirmed that the core of the storm was situated to the west of the island, inching eastward and prolonging the period of intense precipitation. A yellow weather warning remained in effect throughout the day, with officials forecasting that rain and thunderstorms would persist across Cyprus until Thursday, with a potential respite only arriving by Friday. "The eye of Storm Byron is currently located west of the island and moving slowly eastwards," explained Panayiotis Georgiou, a senior officer at the Meteorological Service, accounting for the extended forecast of unstable conditions.
The town of Polis Chrysochous and its surrounding region bore the brunt of the onslaught. Raging floodwaters inundated streets, buildings, and basements, while several landslides were reported on rural roads linking the town to nearby villages. The municipality’s mayor, Yiotis Papachristofi, described the situation as “unprecedented” and implored citizens to exercise extreme caution. He publicly urged residents to “immediately limit unnecessary travel” to facilitate the work of emergency crews and ensure public safety. In response, municipal teams worked tirelessly to clear debris, unblock storm drains, and manage the landslides.
Concurrently, the national infrastructure faced severe strain. The critical Nicosia-Limassol motorway experienced hazardous flooding near Zygi, Kornos, and Governor’s Beach, with police reporting extremely poor visibility and perilous driving conditions. The Fire Service was inundated with calls for assistance, receiving between ten and sixteen reports from the Polis area alone concerning flooded properties and stranded vehicles. Andreas Kettis, spokesman for the Cyprus Fire Service, confirmed that four specialized crews were deployed in the Paphos district, with personnel recalled and a dedicated flood response vehicle dispatched from Stroumbi village to bolster efforts.
Looking ahead, the immediate focus remains on public safety and infrastructure recovery. Police have reiterated advice for motorists to reduce speed, maintain safe distances, and use headlights during daytime travel. Coastal areas are also advised to prepare for strong winds forecast to reach gale force. The prolonged nature of the weather system suggests that the island’s emergency and municipal services will remain on high alert for the coming days, managing the aftermath of initial flooding while responding to new incidents. This event underscores the escalating challenges posed by intense, slow-moving Mediterranean storm systems in an era of climatic volatility.