Severe rainfall and floods threaten parts of Greece and Turkey
Severe weather systems bring heavy rainfall, deadly tornadoes, and powerful cyclones across multiple regions worldwide.
Global weather patterns are currently causing severe disruptions as multiple extreme systems impact regions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Authorities have issued critical warnings for heavy rainfall and flooding as meteorological conditions deteriorate in several areas.
In south-eastern Europe and Turkey, an active low-pressure system has triggered powerful thunderstorms. On Tuesday, an intense storm in the south-western coastal city of Antalya spawned a tornado that tragically killed four construction workers. Government agencies in Greece and Turkey have subsequently issued severe flood and rain warnings. Forecasters predict an additional 100 to 150 millimeters of rainfall across central Greece and western Turkey this week, with the potential for even higher local totals.
Severe weather systems bring dangerous floods, deadly tornadoes, and powerful tropical storms globally.
Moving eastward toward South Asia, Cyclone Arnab made landfall and brought destructive winds and torrential rain to the Indian states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The severe storm featured wind gusts exceeding 85 mph and rainfall totals surpassing 200 millimeters in certain areas. These conditions forced the mass evacuation of more than 180,000 residents and caused significant damage to local energy and transport infrastructure. Although the cyclone is expected to weaken while moving northwards, it will continue to drop heavy precipitation on northern and central India.
Further into the western Pacific, Typhoon In-fa intensified into a super typhoon on Wednesday, registering sustained winds of 150 mph and gusts topping 185 mph. The storm is projected to miss Guam, which experienced Typhoon Champi earlier in the month, but it is expected to impact the Mariana Islands following a year that has already seen four super typhoons strike the area.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Vance impacted western Mexico before weakening into a depression. The system produced between 50 and 100 millimeters of rain across Sinaloa, Durango, and Nayarit, with isolated spots exceeding 150 millimeters. These heavy rains carry a risk of flooding and landslides, while strong coastal swells generate hazardous surf conditions.