The Ionian islands’ regional Civil Protection Secretariat issued a warning on Thursday urging the restriction of people’s movement at the island of Zakynthos from Thursday evening until late night Friday, in view of Medicane (Mediterranean hurricane) “Ianos” approaching the region, ANA reports.
Kefalonia, Ithaca, and Zakynthos are expected to be stricken by Medicane Ianos late on Thursday, with weather forecasts predicting winds reaching hurricane-force Category 1 strength and forceful winds that could exceed 200 km/h, while huge amounts of rainfall could lead to dangerous flash floods.
Heavy trucks, trailer trucks, and buses are barred from using the national highway in western Greece, Deputy Minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias said on Thursday, ahead of the landfall of Medicane “Ianos”.
The Ionian Islands and the prefectures of Achaia, Ilia, and Messinia in the Peloponnese and Etoloakarnania in western Greece are on high alert for the hurricane, which is expected to arrive in Attica on Friday.
Hardalias said that the above traffic restrictions will be in effect from 21.00 on Thursday to the same time on Friday. Olympia Odos will stay open until the situation is reassessed on midday Friday.
Ryanair airlines flight FR6611 from the United Kingdom to Kefalonia could not land at the island’s international airport on Thursday because of gale-force winds, as the Medicane “Ianos” is expected to slam into western Greece.
The aircraft tried several approaches but failed, and flew to the nearby Lefkas island. It finally touched down at 20:45 in Athens, at the International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”.
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