Severe weather causes widespread power outages across Cyprus

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, severe weather conditions including intense lightning activity caused extensive damage to the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) power grid. Lightning strikes and fallen trees resulted in at least 40 medium-voltage faults by midday, alongside numerous low-voltage issues affecting households across all districts, with Nicosia suffering the most significant impact.

EAC spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou reported that the emergency call center received approximately 25,000 calls by the end of Saturday, with peak volume reaching 3,500 calls per hour. EAC crews worked continuously throughout the weekend, supported by staff from various districts, to restore power. The intensity of the storm, which also led to a tragic fatality at sea in a separate incident, complicated repair efforts and rendered immediate restoration impossible for many areas.

By Monday, August 31, the EAC confirmed that electricity supply was almost fully restored, with only minimal, localized issues remaining, primarily concerning water pumps. The Authority is now evaluating its communication mechanisms following criticism regarding the high volume of incoming calls and delays in public information updates.