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Storm Ciarán: Floods ravage Tuscany leaving five dead

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Severe flooding and strong winds have ravaged large parts of Tuscany, resulting in the loss of five lives and leaving several others missing. The River Bisenzio overflowed, sweeping away cars and forcing people to seek refuge on rooftops. The impact of the storm, named Ciarán, extended beyond Italy, causing more than 12 fatalities across Western Europe. France experienced winds reaching 207 km/h (129 mph), while Belgium reported two casualties due to falling trees, including a five-year-old child.

The havoc extended to other countries, with disruptions in transportation and power outages. Jersey’s residents were evacuated from their homes, and the storm caused chaos in various regions of Europe, including southern England, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal.

In Tuscany, the situation was particularly dire, with Livorno, Prato, and Montemurlo being among the hardest-hit areas. Montemurlo witnessed a deluge of 200mm (7.8in) of rain in less than a day, leading to the River Bisenzio breaching its banks in multiple locations. The flooding claimed the life of an 85-year-old man who was unable to escape his submerged home. The governor of Tuscany described the rainfall as unprecedented in a century and urged people to seek safety on higher floors.

Videos captured the terrifying sight of vehicles being swept away by the floodwaters. Campi Bisenzio residents were forced to take refuge on their rooftops, while around 100 individuals sought shelter in a local shopping center. Meanwhile, the mayor of Prato lamented the devastating impact, with extensive flooding leaving vast areas underwater and the town’s Santo Stefano hospital partially inundated.

Additionally, the storm caused significant damage in Milan, leading to a second instance of flooding in a single week after the River Seveso overflowed. Veneto, in the northeast, faced similar challenges, with one person reported missing and 160mm of rainfall in just 24 hours. Further east, red weather alerts were issued in Slovenia and Croatia, warning of strong cyclones, high winds, hail, and thunderstorms.

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Greek Wildfires: Summer Camp Evacuates 1,200 Children as Fire Approaches

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A summer camp in Greece has been forced to evacuate over a thousand children due to raging wildfires that have erupted in the country. As Greece endures a scorching Mediterranean heatwave, two separate blazes are spreading rapidly.

In the town of Loutraki, situated west of Athens, flames advanced towards the camp, prompting the evacuation of 1,200 children. In another incident, a man suspected of starting a fire in Kouvaras, southeast of the capital, was arrested by the police. Emergency service crews have assisted numerous individuals in evacuating their homes in the affected areas.

Several animals, including horses housed in stables, were also evacuated. The Greek government has stated that affected homeowners are eligible for temporary accommodation in local hotels and will be compensated later. Despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters contending with strong winds, the fires continue to spread.

The situation has led to transportation disruptions, with sections of the Athens-Corinth national highway closed by the police and some train services affected. While it is suspected that at least one fire was intentionally started, scientists emphasize that such extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to global warming.

The intense regional heatwave shows no signs of abating, according to weather reports, and the risk of further fires remains high, as warned by the Greek meteorological service. Thick smoke, damaged houses, and cars were depicted on Greek television, reflecting the destruction caused by the wildfires. Greece has experienced temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F) in recent days, leading to precautions such as the temporary closure of the Acropolis.

Neighboring countries like Italy and Spain are also facing unusually high temperatures, and further heat records are expected to be broken in the coming days throughout the region.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright