Heavy Christmas morning downpours have triggered emergency call-outs across Larnaca and Famagusta, with flash floods turning local roads into rivers. The Famagusta Fire Station was forced to recall off-duty personnel after receiving a wave of distress calls from residents in Paralimni and Ayia Napa.
Social media footage captured the intensity of the storm, showing vehicles struggling through deep water as drainage systems failed to cope with the sudden deluge.
Emergency Response in Numbers
Fire Service spokesperson Andreas Kettis confirmed that crews are working alongside the District Self-Government Organization (EOA) to manage the crisis.
8 Total Emergency Calls: Received by the Famagusta Fire Station this morning.
Rescue Operations: Crews towed vehicles trapped in floodwaters; all occupants were recovered safely without injury.
Infrastructure Tasks: Teams focused on clearing blocked storm drains and pumping water out of flooded premises.
Reinforcements: Six EOA staff members have joined the frontline effort to assist fire crews.
While the east of the island grapples with flooding, other regions continue to enjoy clear skies and temperatures reaching 19°C.
While some regions basked in 19°C sunshine today, a weak high-pressure system is giving way to a more volatile weather front. Forecasters warn of a sharp shift in conditions, with localized storms, hail, and the first potential snow of the season on the highest peaks of Troodos tomorrow.
Christmas night chill
Skies will remain partly cloudy tonight, with isolated showers expected primarily along the coast.
Inland: Temperatures will drop to 10°C.
Coastal areas: Lows of 12°C.
High peaks: Mercury will plummet to 4°C, with local frost expected to form.
Boxing Day: Storms and snow
The weather will deteriorate significantly on Friday, particularly in the afternoon.
The Highs: Expect 19°C inland and 20°C on the coast.
Severe Weather: Thunderstorms and hail are likely.
Troodos Peaks: Sleet or snow may fall on the highest summits.
Winds: Light to moderate (3-4 Beaufort) from the northeast to southeast.
Weekend outlook
Unstable conditions will persist through Sunday.
The unseasonably mild temperatures will hold through Saturday before a cold front on Sunday pulls the mercury back down to standard late-December averages.