Greece is struggling with the flood disaster that occurred after heavy rains. 3 people have died so far in Greece, which is stated to be under the influence of a heavy rain that will occur once in 50 to 100 years. Experts state that besides the intensity of the precipitation, its continuity also plays a role in the disaster’s reaching these dimensions.
Speaking to AA correspondent, Kolidas evaluated the heavy rains that have affected Greece in recent days and caused the death of 3 people.
“THE MOST HIGHEST RAIN IN GREECE…”
Kolidas noted that despite the news in the news archive of Greek State Television ERT that the precipitation in Zagora in November 1986 measured 840 millimeters, the rain in the country’s Thessaly region on September 5 was the “heaviest rain” in Greece, according to the official measurements of the modern weather station. .
Stating that similar rainfalls are only encountered in the Gulf of Genoa in the immediate vicinity, Kolidas stated that heavy rains of this scale in Greece generally occur as a result of Mediterranean cyclones, as in 2020.
Stating that there was no Mediterranean cyclone this time, Kolidas said, “However, we encountered an air flow from the east in the entire eastern part of Greece. This air flow carried intense moisture from the central and northern Aegean to the Thessaly region, where we saw heavy rain.” he said.
Kolidas stated that the humid air reaching the mountainous region in Pilio turned into a heavy rain reaching 750 millimeters here.
IT WAS AS LENGTH AS THE STRENGTH OF THE RAIN
Pointing out that 400 millimeters of precipitation is observed in the plain areas in the region within 24 hours, Kolidas pointed out that the duration of heavy rain in this process is also very long.
“Heavy rains in Greece usually last for 6-8 hours on average. This time, heavy rainfall was 24 hours or more in most regions. It was a big rain not only in terms of intensity but also in terms of duration,” Kolidas said. he said.
“It rained as hard as it could be once in 50 to 100 years”
Reminding that such heavy rains took place in Volos in 1955 and caused the death of 27 people, and that there was a similar rainfall in the country in 1887, Kolidas said, “Such heavy rains are very rare. In Greece, only 50, 100 happens once a year.” said.
Despite this, Kolidas noted that the impact of the climate crisis cannot be completely ignored.
THE SITUATION IS CRITICAL IN AREAS WITH SEA TRANSPORTATION
Stating that it is easy for rain water to mix with the sea from Pilio, which is a peninsula, but there is no such opportunity in and around Larisa, which is relatively far from the sea and has wide agricultural areas and plains, Kolidas drew attention to the fact that water accumulation is more in regions such as Kardiça, Larisa and Trikala.
“Water continues to descend from mountainous areas. Therefore, the problem is not only caused by precipitation but also by the flow of streams. I don’t know for sure, but probably a large part of the agricultural production in this region will also be damaged,” Kolidas said. he said.
FOREST FIRES THE SIZE OF FLOOD ALSO EFFECTIVE
Stating that not only this year’s forest fires, but also previous years’ forest fires could be effective in the flood landscapes, Kolidas continued his words as follows:
“Wherever there is a forest fire, we encounter such problems. The cause of the flood disaster in Eğriboz Island (Evia) in 2020 was, of course, heavy rain, but the forest fires in the region in 2018 also had an impact on the flood.” (AA)
