Tornado leaves some 15 homes in Nicosia outskirts uninhabitable

Visiting the site of the tornado that blew through Nikitari in the suburbs of Nicosia, Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said that thankfully “there were no human casualties,” adding that families whose homes were severely affected will receive a €2,000 grant to make do for the holiday period.

Nouris said the Interior Ministry, civil defence crews and the Ministry of Agriculture have been on alert since the morning to attend to the immediate needs of those affected by the tornado that blew through the village.

Two families whose homes were severely affected have been moved to a hotel in Nicosia, he added, noting that accommodation will be secured for families whose homes were rendered uninhabitable, estimated to be around 15.

The tornado that blew through the outskirts of Nicosia on Monday caused extensive damage in just a matter of minutes, affecting the areas of Nikitari, Astromeritis, and Peristerona, though no human casualties have been reported.

Crews are already recording the damage, Nouris said, adding that the Electricity Authority has been contacted and is exerting every effort to restore power to the area.

Affected farmers will also be tended to, Nouris said, stressing that “everything will be dealt with.”