A severe storm struck Glyfada, a suburb of Athens, leaving behind catastrophic flooding, displaced debris, and one tragic death. The city’s streets resembled torrents as heavy rainfall carried rocks, soil, and even household items such as sinks and toilets down from the surrounding mountains.
Glyfada Mayor Giorgos Papanikolaou described the disaster as unprecedented in the city’s history. “What we experienced in the last few hours, neither I nor the older residents have ever seen before,” he said. Municipal crews have been working continuously to clear roads and remove debris, with multiple trucks already transporting stones and other materials collected from the streets.
(ΤΑΤΙΑΝΑ ΜΠΟΛΑΡΗ/EUROKINISSI)
Tragically, a 56-year-old woman, a professional educator, lost her life while attempting to cross a flooded street. Witnesses reported that she was swept under an uncontrolled car carried by the floodwaters. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with water, rocks, and soil hitting the victim while rescue attempts were hampered by the torrent.
Meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas explained that the extensive damage was worsened by the Evrialis stream, whose flow had been obstructed and partially buried over the years due to urban development. The combination of high rainfall, waterborne debris, and changes to the natural course of the stream created severe flooding in areas previously considered safe.
(ΤΑΤΙΑΝΑ ΜΠΟΛΑΡΗ/EUROKINISSI)
Measurements from 543 meteorological stations across Athens recorded rainfall totals equivalent to a month’s worth of precipitation in just a few hours. The heaviest rainfall within the Attica basin was recorded in Papagou (174 mm), followed by Chalandri (148 mm), Vyronas (145 mm), and Ilioupoli (142 mm).
Authorities are urging residents to exercise caution and are conducting thorough assessments of the damage. The city faces a significant cleanup effort as municipal teams continue to clear debris and reopen blocked roads.
