Police on Friday announced extra patrols and increased road-safety measures over the Kataklysmos holiday weekend beginning on Saturday through to Monday night.

“The measures being taken include an increased presence of police on highways, interurban roads and main arteries,” a police bulletin said.

It added that there would be “a particular emphasis” on traffic offences that are proven to contribute to fatal and serious road collisions, such as speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Due to the increased traffic expected on the road network, police appeal to drivers to be especially careful and to comply with the traffic code and signals, as well as with instructions of officers on duty.

Along with road safety measures, police are taking additional measures to prevent crime and especially against burglaries that will include increased foot and motorised patrols in urban areas and in the countryside.

Homeowners are asked to make sure their properties are as secure as possible before heading off for the weekend.

In addition, major roads in Larnaca, Paphos, and Protaras will be closed for the Kataklysmos holiday.

In Larnaca, several key streets will be closed from Saturday to Monday and on June 26 from 2pm to 2am the following day. The affected areas include Leoforos Athinon and its side streets in the Fnikoudes area.

Odos Vasileos Pavlou will be closed from its junction with Leoforos Athinon to Odos Zinonos Kitieos. Additionally, the two lanes on Leoforos Archiepiskopou Makariou III, from its junction with Odos Kosti Palama to its junction with Leoforos Athinon, will be shut down in the direction from the port to the Larnaca police department.

These roads will also be closed on Friday and on June 25, from 4pm to 2am the next day. Furthermore, Leoforos Athinon will be inaccessible daily from 4am to 7am between Saturday and July 1 to allow for cleaning work by Larnaca municipality crews.

In Paphos, from Friday to Monday, parts of Leoforos Apostolou Pavlou, from the roundabout with Odos Lidas to the Medieval castle of Paphos, will be closed.

Similarly, Odos Poseidonos will be shut from its junction with Odos Iasonos to the same castle.

In the Famagusta district, on Sunday, in order to maintain the safe conduct of an event organised by the Paralimni municipality, the road leading from Leoforos Protara to the public parking area near Fig Tree Bay will be closed.

Authorities advise motorists to plan their routes accordingly and to adhere to any instructions provided by the police to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety during the Kataklysmos celebrations.