The police and the fire brigade had to intervene after rain brought Nicosia’s traffic to a standstill on Monday afternoon.

Heavy rain hit the capital shortly after 2pm, with cars on some main roads in Strovolos and Engomi stranded due to flash floods.

As such, the police “provided assistance to the drivers” of the stranded vehicles, according to the Cyprus News Agency.

Fire brigade spokesman Andreas Kettis wrote on social media that the fire brigade had received 12 callouts to open rainwater drains across Nicosia, with three crews being deployed to carry out the job.

He added that there had been no need for the fire brigade to intervene regarding the vehicles which were temporarily stranded, however, as the water quickly receded.

The condition of the roads improved after the rain stopped,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the mountains, conditions were more serious, with torrential rain causing landslides on the road between the villages of Platres and Troodos, with heavy fog also hitting the area.

The police said they have arrived in the area to provide assistance, with work also underway to clear debris from the road.

They also urged drivers to exercise caution, to drive slowly, to maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front of them, and to drive with their vehicles’ headlights on.