Localised flooding during yesterday’s adverse weather in Limassol was primarily caused by debris blocking storm drains, while officials disagreed over who bears responsibility for the incident.
Panicos Panayiotou, Senior Executive Engineer at the Department of Public Works in Limassol, attributed water accumulation at the Polemidia roundabout to rubbish being washed into and blocking the drains.
He criticised the public’s habit of littering, explaining that plastic bags often end up blocking drains, preventing proper drainage during rainfall.
The Department had already announced last week that drain cleaning works would commence today on the Limassol bypass road, between the new hospital junction and Mouttagiaka junction.
The works will continue until 5 December, operating Monday through Thursday from 8pm to 6am.
Panayiotou also reported that the department responded to rockslides on the Yerasa-Agros road, noting that such incidents have become more frequent during bad weather following recent fires in the area.
Additional rockslides were observed near the Limassol-Paphos motorway tunnel, which also experienced problems due to heavy hail.
A dispute emerged over responsibility for flooding on Marinou Geroulanou Street, beneath the Polemidia bridge.
While Panayiotou indicated that responsibility had transferred to the local municipality as of July 1, Polemidia Mayor Andreas Theodorou contested this claim, stating they had not yet received official handover and lack access to necessary equipment.
Electra Panayiotou, Acting District Officer, reported no major issues in the Limassol district, with only two claims filed for vehicle damage due to the rain by midday.
Yiannis Tsouloftas, President of the Limassol Civil Defence Organisation, mentioned minor localised problems in areas outside the city centre, noting that despite water flow, elevated water levels were observed and would be investigated.
(philenews with information from CNA)
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