Cyprus records wettest August since 1901 as storms leave dead or missing at sea

Local rainTop NewsWeather Cyprus records wettest August since 1901 as storms leave dead or missing at sea Weather, rain, storm, storms, warning Relevant News The problem is policy, not a lack of trust 9 September 2026 EU states seek compromise on new taxes to fund next budget 9 September 2026 Cyprus records wettest August since 1901 as storms leave dead or missing at sea 9 September 2026 newsroom 9 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus recorded its wettest August since 1901, the Department of Meteorology said. The month was marked by severe storms, flooding and heatwaves, and culminated in a fatal accident off Cape Greco. Storms and sea disasters The month’s most severe episode struck on August 29, bringing powerful storms, intense lightning, heavy rain, hail, violent winds and 11 waterspouts observed across all of Cyprus’s districts. Lightning strikes sparked fires in Avgorou and Kokkinotrimithia, while the storm also caused flooding, fallen trees, landslides and widespread power cuts. The same storm brought intense sea disturbance that proved fatal. Rough seas off Agioi Anargyroi-Konnou, near Cape Greco, caused a boat to hit rocks and sink on August 29, killing one person; the rest of those on board were rescued. Two other boats also got into difficulty in the same conditions, but were rescued safely. A separate boat sank off Kyrenia on August 30, though it has not yet been confirmed whether weather was the cause. Rescue operations are continuing, with the death toll so far standing at 14 and 14 people still missing. The storm’s effects continued into the following two days, particularly around Polis Chrysochous, where strong winds and hail caused damage, along with problems on the road network and to infrastructure. Earlier in the month, intense instability brought storms and heavy to very heavy rain on August 17-19, mainly inland, in Makedonitissa, Egkomi, Lakatamia, Strovolos and Agios Dometios, as well as in Larnaca district and mountainous and semi-mountainous areas. Rainfall on August 17 reached 62.2mm in Makedonitissa and 47.2mm in Xyliatos within 24 hours, triggering local flooding and a marked increase in river and stream flow, with further strong storms on August 18-19 bringing local hail and locally intense rainfall. The Tseri weather station recorded 73.3mm of rain in a single day during the month’s storms, the highest daily August total logged at that station since it began operating; hail was also recorded on August 27 at Troodos, and again on August 29 at Troodos, Agios Ioannis Maloundas and Tseri Makedonitissa. Rainfall Average rainfall for the month, the department said, was 30mm, or 1,034 per cent of the normal amount for August, measured against the 1961-1990 reference period used for rainfall comparisons. Rainfall ranged from zero at Drousia to 24,000 per cent of normal at Ayia Napa, and several stations logged very high daily and monthly totals, with some setting new August records. Rainfall for the ten months from October 2025 to August 2026 totalled around 608.3mm, or 122 per cent of normal, ranging between 83 per cent at Akrotiri and 177 per cent at Kampos. Temperature Turning to temperature, the department said August was relatively warm, with the monthly average around 0.72°C above normal, measured against the 1981-2010 reference period used for temperature comparisons. Three separate periods of very high temperatures near heatwave levels were recorded inland: an eight-day spell from August 1-8, when maximum temperatures reached or approached 40°C; August 21-23, when the temperature hit 41.6°C inland on August 21, the month’s highest reading; and August 25-28, when temperatures again reached around 40°C inland. Heatwave conditions, defined as a maximum daily temperature above 40°C for Nicosia and above 31°C for Prodromos, were recorded at Athalassa during August 1-8, 21-23 and 25-28, and at Prodromos on August 26 and 28. A large number of fires broke out during the month and caused damage, the department said, though all were extinguished. Read more: Cyprus records one of its rainiest summers in decades in 2026 Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News The problem is policy, not a lack of trust EU states seek compromise on new taxes to fund next budget EU considers restrictions on second homes to tackle housing crisis Two arrested after Nicosia driver rams victims, flees scene Cyprus has EU’s lowest suicide rate, Eurostat says Overnight pharmacies on Wednesday, September 9 Delivery driver recognises attackers inside police station; drugs found at suspects’ home Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.