Torrential rain caused hazardous driving conditions on Saturday, with police warning of water build-up and reduced visibility on major roads, while hail was reported in parts of Nicosia.

Heavy rainfall was affecting both the Nicosia – Larnaca and Nicosia – Akaki highways from around midday.

Drivers were urged to exercise extreme caution, reduce speed, maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and keep their headlights on.

Hail was also reported in several areas of Nicosia, including Strovolos, Makedonitissa and Lakatamia, as seen in videos shared on social media.

Meanwhile, following the heavy rain and hail fire service crews rescued an elderly person from a flooded home in Nicosia .

Fire service press office spokeswoman Koulla Mesaritou said that by 12.30pm, crews in the Nicosia district had responded to multiple calls linked to the severe weather.

These included pumping water from flooded basements, clearing stormwater drains and moving telecommunications cables brought down by strong winds.

“We also had one case involving an elderly person trapped in a home that had flooded,” she said.

Mesaritou added that the fire service also assisted crews from the Nicosia district local government organisation (EOA) as well as Strovolos and Lakatamia municipalities in opening drainage covers.

As the unstable air mass continues to affect the region, the weather department is forecasting mainly cloudy conditions through the afternoon, with local showers and isolated thunderstorms, particularly over inland areas, the mountains and the southeast.

Winds are expected to blow from the southwest to northwest at three to four Beaufort, temporarily reaching four to five Beaufort in windward coastal areas.

Tonight, conditions are expected to become mostly clear, although increased low cloud may develop in some areas, with patchy mist or fog possible in the early hours.

Looking ahead, Sunday through Tuesday will see intervals of partly cloudy weather, with isolated showers and thunderstorms expected mainly during the afternoon over inland and mountainous areas.

Temperatures are expected to rise slightly in the coming days, though remaining below seasonal averages.