After summer’s extreme heat, now heavy snow is devastating Athens

Greece Snowstorm: Thousands of drivers left stranded as storm hits Athens

Jan 24 2022

Thousands of motorists left stranded on a motorway around the Greek capital Athens have been rescued overnight after a severe snowstorm swept across the Mediterranean region.

More than 3,500 people were rescued on Monday, but about 300 drivers remained on the Attiki Odos motorway overnight.

Parts of Athens were also hit by heavy power cuts, with grid operators working to restore electricity.

Authorities say the storm, named Elpida, will persist until Wednesday.

Overnight temperatures plummeted to -14C. Government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou told reporters that the country remained “in a very difficult phase, as the forecasts indicate that we will face difficulties again in a while”.

Continue reading at www.bbc.com

Dozens households in Athens without power for 4th day; compensation possible

Jan 27, 2022

Τhe office of the Public Prosecutor in Athens investigates the multi-day power outages in several areas of Attica in the midst of a snow weather, low temperatures and frost. Investigation is to determine whether the offense of disturbing the operation of an utility has been committed.

The order for the preliminary investigation ον Τhursday was given due to continuous reports on households suffering without electricity and heating since Monday as well as dozens of phone calls to Athens First Instance Court by citizens in outrage.

According to media, citizens complained that they remain without power and heating for over three consecutive days and thus in “polar” temperatures without being able to meet their basic needs and to cope with the adverse weather conditions.

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Continue reading at www.keeptalkinggreece.com

SYRIZA files censure motion against Mitsotakis gov’t over snowstorm, pandemic handling

Jan 27, 2022

Main opposition left-wing SYRIZA submitted a censure motion against the conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis over its mishandling of the snowstorm that swept through central and south Greece since Monday. The motion was submitted short before Thursday noon during a debated over a new development law.

“The snowstorm buried the last illusions that Mr. Mitsotakis has the ability to learn from his mistakes and delays and the dramatic results of his ideologies,” Tsipras said in Parliament.

“On behalf of SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance’s parliamentary group I submit a motion of censure against the worst government the country has known since the fall of the dictatorship. There are no dead ends in a democracy,” he added.

Continue reading at www.keeptalkinggreece.com