A dust cloud from the Sahara moved across Crete, Greece today, coinciding with a tornado that disrupted flights in the region. The dust-laden sky turned orange, leading to flight diversions from Heraklion’s main airport due to reduced visibility. A British Airways flight from London was redirected to Corfu, while a SKY Express flight from Brussels was sent to Athens, adding to the air travel disruptions on the island.
On the ground, a tornado overturned a truck in Pachia Ammos, impacting agricultural activities. In Ierapetra, strong winds caused waves to flood homes along the coast, creating hazardous conditions. Authorities anticipate the dust cloud to dissipate later today, aggravated by Storm Erminio’s heavy rainfall and thunderstorms sweeping through Greece.
Health experts are cautioning vulnerable individuals against respiratory risks posed by the high levels of airborne particles. Meteorologists have recorded dust concentrations exceeding 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter of air, with Kostas Lagouvardos of the National Observatory of Athens highlighting exceptionally elevated particle levels in Crete. This incident marks the fourth severe weather event this year, attributed to strong sirocco winds affecting the region, causing damage to infrastructure and posing risks to coastal areas.
Meanwhile, the Canary Islands are also experiencing a dust cloud, known as “calima,” originating from the Sahara desert. Authorities have issued yellow weather warnings for the islands, including popular tourist destinations like Tenerife and Lanzarote, advising residents and tourists to take necessary health precautions amidst the significant haze forecasted.
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