Severe storms hit Cyprus causing widespread disruption

On August 29, 2026, severe weather conditions including heavy rain, strong winds, and intense lightning struck Cyprus, leading to a nationwide emergency alert via the 112 system at 12:15 p.m. Authorities urged citizens to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel due to high flooding risks.

The storm caused significant infrastructure damage. In Kokkinotrimithia, a lightning strike hit an Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) transformer, sparking a large fire at a site containing old vehicles and household items. Across the island, reports included fallen trees, collapsed scaffolding in Strovolos, and landslides on mountain roads such as the Gerakies-Kykkos route. The Pedieos River overflowed, causing road closures in Strovolos. No injuries were reported, though one woman narrowly escaped harm when scaffolding fell near her balcony.

The weather also disrupted transport, forcing the diversion of several flights destined for Larnaca and Paphos to airports in Rhodes and Lebanon. In Pakhna, strong winds destroyed a large livestock shelter, causing structural damage to the farm. Fire services and emergency teams remain on high alert as a yellow-to-orange meteorological warning persists throughout the day.