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Severe rainfall and flood warnings have been issued for central Greece and western Turkey as powerful thunderstorms and a fatal tornado strike the region. An area of low pressure is driving the adverse weather across south-eastern Europe, with authorities warning that further heavy downpours are on the way.
Storms and Tornado Strike Turkey
In the south-western coastal Turkish city of Antalya, a powerful thunderstorm on Tuesday spawned a tornado that resulted in the deaths of four construction workers. Heavy rain and strong winds are projected to persist across parts of south-eastern Europe and Turkey over the coming days. Officials in both Greece and Turkey anticipate an additional 100mm to 150mm, nearly four to six inches, of rainfall this week, with some localized areas expected to receive even higher totals.
Tropical Systems Impact Asia and the Pacific
Moving eastwards to south Asia, Cyclone Arnab made landfall and brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to the Indian regions of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. The severe storm featured wind gusts exceeding 85mph, equivalent to 140km/h, and rainfall totals surpassing 200mm in certain areas. This prompted the mass evacuation of more than 180,000 people alongside widespread disruptions to transportation and energy infrastructure. The storm is forecast to weaken while moving northwards, though it will continue dropping heavy rain across parts of northern and central India.
In the western Pacific Ocean, Typhoon In-fa was upgraded to a super typhoon with sustained winds reaching 150mph, or 240km/h, and gusts surpassing 185mph, or 296km/h. The storm is tracking north-westwards and is projected to miss Guam, which was previously struck by Typhoon Champi earlier in the month. However, In-fa is forecast to impact the Mariana Islands, a region that has already faced four super typhoons over the course of the year.
Tropical Storm Vance Hits Mexico
Across the Pacific Ocean in western Mexico, Tropical Storm Vance has been impacting the region. Although the system recently weakened into a tropical depression, it delivered heavy rain and dangerous coastal conditions. The Mexican regions of Sinaloa, Durango, and Nayarit recorded between 50mm and 100mm of rain, with specific locations exceeding 150mm. These high precipitation levels are anticipated to trigger disruptions from flooding and landslides, while storm swells generate dangerous surf and rip currents along the coast.
