A fierce Christmas-morning storm turned parts of Larnaca and the Free Famagusta area into fast-flowing waterways, catching thousands of residents and holiday-makers off-guard. According to the Cyprus Meteorological Department, the weather front dumped more than 35 mm of rain in barely an hour—enough to overwhelm the coastal districts’ drainage network and force emergency services to activate flood-response protocols. Early-morning social-media videos show cars inching through waist-deep water on the Larnaca–Dhekelia seaside road while shop owners frantically stacked sandbags across doorways.
Fire-service spokesperson Andreas Kettis said crews in Famagusta received eight distress calls within 90 minutes. Firefighters rescued motorists trapped in stalled vehicles, pumped water from flooded basements, and worked alongside the District Self-Government Organisation to clear blocked storm drains. No serious injuries were reported, but authorities warned that flash flooding could recur as the unstable weather pattern persists through Boxing Day.
Travellers whose plans have been thrown into disarray by the flooding can simplify any urgent visa or travel-document needs through VisaHQ’s dedicated Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/). The service offers quick online applications, real-time embassy updates and expedited processing—an extra layer of reassurance for those forced to rebook flights or reroute itineraries at short notice.
![Torrential Christmas-Day Downpour Floods Larnaca and Famagusta, Disrupting Holiday Travel]()
The timing could not be worse for the island’s peak Christmas mobility period. Hermes Airports estimates that 38,000 passengers are moving through Larnaca and Paphos over the 24-25 December window. Airport officials urged travellers to leave extra time for the flooded approach roads around Larnaca International and to monitor airline apps for check-in delays. Coastal coach operator Kapnos Shuttle added two extra morning departures from Paralimni after its regular 06:30 coach was stuck behind flood-waters for almost an hour.
Beyond immediate safety concerns, the incident highlights Cyprus’ long-standing drainage challenges. A €35 million flood-defence upgrade for Larnaca’s city centre—co-funded by the EU Cohesion Fund—has stalled at the design-tender phase. Local business groups are now demanding an accelerated timetable, arguing that repeat flooding threatens the region’s post-pandemic tourism recovery and adds hidden costs for foreign investors whose staff commute between tech parks in Larnaca and the Famagusta Free Zone.
For employers, the practical advice is simple: activate remote-work protocols where possible, remind staff of alternative inland routes such as the A3 motorway, and review business-continuity plans that cover extreme-weather scenarios. The Meteorological Department warns that further thunderstorms, hail and even light snow on the Troodos peaks are expected on 26 December, with renewed flash-flood risk in low-lying coastal areas.
Fire-service spokesperson Andreas Kettis said crews in Famagusta received eight distress calls within 90 minutes. Firefighters rescued motorists trapped in stalled vehicles, pumped water from flooded basements, and worked alongside the District Self-Government Organisation to clear blocked storm drains. No serious injuries were reported, but authorities warned that flash flooding could recur as the unstable weather pattern persists through Boxing Day.
Travellers whose plans have been thrown into disarray by the flooding can simplify any urgent visa or travel-document needs through VisaHQ’s dedicated Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/). The service offers quick online applications, real-time embassy updates and expedited processing—an extra layer of reassurance for those forced to rebook flights or reroute itineraries at short notice.
The timing could not be worse for the island’s peak Christmas mobility period. Hermes Airports estimates that 38,000 passengers are moving through Larnaca and Paphos over the 24-25 December window. Airport officials urged travellers to leave extra time for the flooded approach roads around Larnaca International and to monitor airline apps for check-in delays. Coastal coach operator Kapnos Shuttle added two extra morning departures from Paralimni after its regular 06:30 coach was stuck behind flood-waters for almost an hour.
Beyond immediate safety concerns, the incident highlights Cyprus’ long-standing drainage challenges. A €35 million flood-defence upgrade for Larnaca’s city centre—co-funded by the EU Cohesion Fund—has stalled at the design-tender phase. Local business groups are now demanding an accelerated timetable, arguing that repeat flooding threatens the region’s post-pandemic tourism recovery and adds hidden costs for foreign investors whose staff commute between tech parks in Larnaca and the Famagusta Free Zone.
For employers, the practical advice is simple: activate remote-work protocols where possible, remind staff of alternative inland routes such as the A3 motorway, and review business-continuity plans that cover extreme-weather scenarios. The Meteorological Department warns that further thunderstorms, hail and even light snow on the Troodos peaks are expected on 26 December, with renewed flash-flood risk in low-lying coastal areas.
