Powerful tornadoes and heavy rains cause widespread damage in northern parts of Turkish Cyprus
Severe weather, including tornadoes, strong winds, and heavy rains pounded the northern parts of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) on Friday, November 20, 2020, causing widespread damage. Power lines, rooftops, and trees were ripped off, and three people sustained injuries due to falling debris.
Coastal settlements of Ozanköy, Çatalköy, Karşıyaka, and Lapta Hotels Region were particularly affected by strong winds that blew roofs, knocked down trees, and damaged power grids.
Turkish Cyprus' main electricity plant, the Teknecik Power Plant, was significantly affected as a transformer exploded, resulting in blackouts in the town of Girne and adjacent areas.
Girne District Governor Sinan Güne announced that the town's Civil Defence Directorate has established a crisis desk to oversee the emergency services' response.
Girne Bölgesinde etkili olan hortum, Ozanköy, Çatalköy Sanayi Bölgesi, Elexus Otel Bölgesi, Lapta Oteller Bölgesi ve Karşıyaka'da hasara yol açtı pic.twitter.com/plBg710Rdm
— kibrishakikat (@kibrishakikat) November 20, 2020
KKTC'de Sabah D.Karpaz bölgesi dolu yağmur sel derken öğle sonrası Girne Ozanköy ve Teknecik Elektrik santralinden hortum yağmur veya Kasırga sonrası durum çok kötü…. pic.twitter.com/OgvHg2tv3Y
— ER.S……. (@ErcumentSerhan1) November 20, 2020
Sabah D.Karpaz dolu şiddetli yağmur ve sel şimdide Girne Ozanköy hortum yağmur ve zarar ziyan…. pic.twitter.com/jdwhcg08kc
— ER.S……. (@ErcumentSerhan1) November 20, 2020
The tornadoes brought down trees, power grids, and several poles, which fell on buildings and cars, inflicting damage.
Vehicles were flipped over by strong winds, while many roofs were ripped off. Three people sustained minor injuries after being hit by falling objects.
Flooding was also reported from Yeşilırmak in the west, through to Yenierenköy in the eastern district of Karpaz, due to heavy rains.
Geçmiş olsun KKTC
Olumsuz hava koşulları nedeniyle, KKTC’nin Girne bölgesinde meydana gelen hortum felaketinden etkilenen ve zarar gören KKTC vatandaşlarına geçmiş olsun dileklerimizi sunuyoruz. #KKTC #GeçmişOlsunKKTC pic.twitter.com/ptzZCvD9hg
— Hikmet EREN (@hikmeteren255) November 20, 2020
Ozanköy'de çıkan hortum zarara yol açtı. Çıkan hortum sonucu köy içerisinde kopan elektrik direkleri ve ağaçlar araçlar üzerine düştü, Köy içinde bazı yollar trafiğe kapatıldı. pic.twitter.com/SJPxgYkj9Z
— Türk Ajansı Kıbrıs (TAK) (@TAKAjansi) November 20, 2020
Girne Bölgesinde etkili olan hortum, Ozanköy, Çatalköy Sanayi Bölgesi, Elexus Otel Bölgesi, Lapta Oteller Bölgesi ve Karşıyaka'da hasara yol açtı pic.twitter.com/mxLt4MezWg
— Türk Ajansı Kıbrıs (TAK) (@TAKAjansi) November 20, 2020
President Ersin Tatar visited the affected sites and vowed to help those who suffered losses and damage.
On Saturday, November 21, authorities resumed operations to assess the damage and clean up debris. In a statement, Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said they will continue to provide help for the region.
"I wish a speedy recovery to the Turkish Cypriots who were injured in the tornado in TRNC. We will continue standing with TRNC with all we have to repair the damage and to heal the wounds."
Featured image credit: EkoAvrasya Chairman of the Board
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