No significant problems from Storm Carmel (Updated)

No major problems were reported so far on Sunday due to Storm Carmel with authorities urging motorists to be alert due to excess water on the roads.

Police in the afternoon urged visitors to Troodos to leave the area in time to avoid any problems from the deterioration of the weather. Frost is expected to form on the roads in Troodos due to the temperature drop later in the day, police said.

Police also said there is still water accumulation on parts of the Larnaca to Ayia Napa motorway, especially near Xylofagou. The road is “dangerously slippery”, police said.

The health ministry said that after advice from the fire service for possible heavy snowfall later in the day, the rapid testing site at the Kakopetria primary school would close at 2 pm instead of 5 pm.

Earlier, police said rock and landslides were observed on the Paphos to Limassol motorway near Paramali.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds were also observed in the Larnaca district, without any particular problems in the road network, police said.

According to the met office, the Carmel weather system will continue to affect the island until Monday afternoon.

On Sunday, very strong winds, forces 6 to 7 on the Beaufort scale were expected, according to the met office. In the evening local rains and thunderstorms, as well as snowfall in the mountainous areas are expected. The temperature is to drop in the evening to 6 degrees Celsius inland, around 9C in the coastal areas and zero degrees in the higher mountainous areas.

On Monday, local showers are expected and isolated storms as well as snow in the higher mountainous areas. The system is expected to weaken after 1 pm.