DISA STRI

THREE days of torrential rain brought misery for homeowners and motorists, with long tailbacks as roads were blocked or closed and furniture and possessions left in muddy water as homes and businesses were inundated.

Schools were damaged — and later closed on Thursday and yesterday, along with universities — and part of the capital’s state hospital was flooded as the storm kicked in on Tuesday morning and escalated to disastrous proportions during Wednesday and Thursday.

Lapta, Alsancak and Dikmen and Girne’s Vuni Palace Hotel were among the worst hit, while the thunderstorms also caused power outages across the country.

Council, civil defence, police and fire brigade teams swung into action as calls for help came in as the storm hit from 2am on Tuesday — starting in the capital before centring on the northern coast and Beşparmak mountain slopes.

Parts of Lefkoşa — including Girne Gate, the industrial estate and the hospital — were first to experience flooding, along with the Ercan flyover and areas in the Mesaoria plain. Trees were uprooted in front of Parliament and in Göçmenköy, GönyeliYenikent, Haspolat, Taşkınköy and Değirmenlik.

The Girne-D mountain road was closed to traffic o afternoon after a stretch was deluged and stones.

Sandbags were l protect the baseme generators and k Lefkoşa State Hospi Gönyeli reservoir