Police, fire crews and other emergency teams have been deployed across North Cyprus after widespread flooding caused by heavy rainfall, with water pumped out of homes and businesses and stranded residents rescued following two days of torrential downpours.
Videos shared across social media during the freak weather showed dams and riverbeds overflowing, water cascading down mountain tops at alarming rates, and muddy floodwater sweeping through roads, homes and businesses, leaving devastation behind. Several people were rescued after cars were swept away or after extreme flooding left them trapped and surrounded by water.
Concerns were high as the state hospital in Nicosia, which sits next to a canal, was in a vulnerable location. Roads leading to the hospital were flooded, as were parts of the hospital grounds. Emergency services worked nonstop to ensure the facility could continue operating during the crisis.
On Wednesday 10 December, the heavy rainfall from Storm Byron moved on from the island, having also severely affected the south of the island in its path and is now forecast to hit Israel on Thursday. Before reaching Cyprus, the storm wreaked havoc in Greece, causing similar devastation near Athens.
According to a statement from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Police General Directorate, officers and firefighters have been responding to calls in coordination with the Civil Defence Organisation, district offices, KIB-TEK and municipalities to assist residents affected by the severe weather.
Emergency services, affected municipality and the government departments  are now shifting their focus to assessing flood damage, monitoring ongoing risks and beginning extensive cleanup operations. Authorities are urging the public to remain cautious as roads gradually reopen and repair work begins following the worst flooding the region has seen in years.
Sinan Güneş, Director of the Meteorological Department, state from firday onwards rain is not expect to hit the island but soil is saturated with water due to the heavy rainfall and that the risk of flooding persists. He added that the department will continue to closely monitor the weather conditions and inform the public.
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