,  By  T-VINE

Freak weather, including a tornado, inflicts widespread damage across North Cyprus

Freak weather has caused havoc across the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) today.

Strong winds and heavy rain have pounded the country since the early hours of the morning, causing flooding from Yeşilırmak in the west, through to Yenierenköy in the eastern district of Karpaz.

The TRNC was also subjected to hailstones, while in the afternoon a tornado which started out at sea also proceeded to batter parts of Girne and Güzelyurt.

Three people are reported to have been slightly injured in the storm, according to local media reports, with footage capturing extensive damage to property across North Cyprus.

The tornado and strong winds brought down trees, electricity and telephone poles, which in turn fell on and damaged buildings and cars. Vehicles were also flipped over and roofs ripped off.

Tornado captured out at sea by Çatalköy, Girne, and below the damage inflicted by the storm & tornado

Various roads have had to close to traffic due to the debris and flooding.

Ozanköy, Çatalköy Industrial Park, the area around luxury hotel Elexus, in Lapta and Karşıyaka, Yenierenköy, and also parts of Güzelyurt are reported to have borne the brunt of the storm.

Many residents in the Girne region are currently without power after the Teknecik Power Station was hit by the tornado.

Milliyet newspaper’s North Cyprus correspondent Sefa Karaaslan tweeted that the TRNC authorities had started buying in electricity from South Cyprus to compensate for the loss.

Girne District Governor Sinan Güneş has announced that the town’s Civil Defence Directorate has formed a crisis desk to oversee the emergency services’ response to today’s severe weather.

Tornado knocks out Teknecik Power Station in North Cyprus, affecting the country’s power supply

 

Main image, top, of debris on road in a Girne village following today’s freak storm, 20 Nov. 2020, photo © TAK