Heavy rain and hail poured over Greece’s northeastern Aegean islands in the last 24 hours, flooding streets and wrecking homes, shops and crops. Local officials say the storm has caused the worst damage in years.
On Lesvos Island, the town of Kalloni was hit hardest. The Tsiknias River swelled and burst its banks, sending up to 1.3 metres of water into streets, houses and dozens of stores. Emergency crews worked all night to pump water out of buildings. A nearby bridge was blocked by debris, worsening the flood. The historic Kremasti Bridge also took a hit when a large shipping container was swept into it.
Samos Island faced a violent storm with heavy rain and hailstones the size of small walnuts. The hail no doubt hurt the summer’s olive harvest, destroying fruits that had been ripening. Roads and homes were flooded, and many businesses took a blow.
Farmers and businesses across the islands are now calling for emergency financial aid from Athens. The Ministry of Rural Development and Food is being pressed to speed up subsidies and build back roads and drainage that can survive the next storm.
Greece has seen an upsurge in extreme weather, and scientists point to climate change as a key factor. In response, thousands of farmers and livestock breeders held a protest across the country, linking natural disasters and rising production costs to their struggle. They demanded faster distribution of subsidies, compensation for crop and animal losses, and support to cover high costs of feeding and caring for animals.
At a rally outside the Ministry in Athens, the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives organized a crowd of farmers. Their banners read “No farmers, no food, no future,” and they called for stronger government help, especially after the recent outbreak of sheep and goat pox that led to the culling of about 400,000 animals this year.
Source: ianslive
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