*Perilous Times and Global Warming
Heavy rain causes severe floods in northeastern Greece*
18 Nov 2007 15:09:16 GMT
Source: Reuters
ATHENS, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Authorities declared a state of emergency in
parts of northeastern Greece on Sunday after heavy rain caused floods
near the border with Turkey, forcing residents of several villages to
evacuate their homes.
In the town of Komotini, residents evacuated their homes on Saturday
after water filled the streets and flooded their homes.
The army sent in military trucks to evacuate those who stayed behind,
and authorities declared a state of emergency in the town, where a river
burst its banks trapping farm animals in their pens. Cars and farm
vehicles were also immersed in water.
In the town of Arcadia in southern Peloponnese, several homes were
flooded and a road and three bridges collapsed after the Alfeios river
overflowed, cutting off traffic in the area.
Authorities in Ilia province, which was hit by devastating summer forest
fires earlier this year, were also on alert but said no serious flooding
problems had been reported yet. But mudslides had occurred in some areas
and rain continued in the region. (Reporting by George Georgiopoulos;
editing by Sami Aboudi)
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