More than half a million people are without power and four died after the worst storm in a 100 years hit the Crimean peninsula on November 26.
Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to the peninsula's Russian governor said 498,000 people in Crimea have been left without electricity due to the extreme weather, citing data from the Russian company Krymenergo, Ukrainska Pravda reports.
Nine-metre-high waves crashed against the coast Astra reported, sweeping Russian military defences away and plunging towns and villages into darkness as the power system failed, TASS reported. Houses facing the water in Simferopol were evacuated and hurricane winds in Sevastopol uprooted trees as well as tearing down billboards. Around 500,000 Crimea residents are facing power outages due to the stormy weather, Kryuchkov wrote on Telegram.
"One person is missing and four others have been injured in a slew of hazardous weather events," Russia’s Emergency Ministry said, adding that its employees had been busy evacuating people from flooded houses all night.
Greek meteorologists have named the storm “Bettina” and it is the latest in a string of extreme weather events to hit the Mediterranean basin this year. It follows on from tropical storm Daniel that killed around 10,000 people in Libya earlier this year after it burst a dam and washed the town of Derna in the middle of the night.
The latest reports from the Russian Health Ministry say seven more people have been injured in the most recent bout of bad weather in Yevpatoriya in northwestern Crimea, of whom two have been hospitalised.
The Crimean authorities issued a storm warning at the weekend, which could last until November 27 and officially announced a day off work for the duration of the storm.
"Due to the stormy weather, problems with electricity supplies were reported from the villages of Kotelnikovo, Poltavka, Krasnoznamenka, Petrovka, Voskhod, Muskatnoye, Pyatikhatka, Novopokrovka, Klepino, and Zarechnoye," Vasily Grabovan, head of the Krasnogvardeisky district administration, wrote on his Telegram channel.
The weather service predicted heavy rains and gale-force winds of up to 40 metres a second. Some 200 people were evacuated from their homes in Yevpatoria. The head of Crimea Sergey Aksyonov said that a crisis centre had been set up due to deterioration of weather conditions, TASS reports.
A gale warning was issued in Crimea for November 25-27 due to heavy rains and stormy winds of up to 40 metres a second.
The storm was affecting other cities along the coast including Odesa, Ukraine’s busiest port. The storm is expected to reach the capital today on November 27 where the wind is predicted to increase to 17-22 m/s and bring heavy snowfalls.
By: Safak Costu
Published: November 27, 2023
The Crimean Fury: Mother Nature’s Unleashed Wrath
In the quaint city of Genichesk, nestled in the Kherson region, Mother Nature has shown her formidable might in an awe-striking display. A recent storm, proudly carrying the title of “The Crimean Fury,” wreaked havoc, leading to the most powerful surge seen in the area in over six decades. At some locations, the tidal height astonishingly exceeded 100 meters, underscoring the sheer intensity of this unexpected natural phenomenon.
Footprints of Fury: The Impact Detailed
The storm’s onslaught severely impacted day-to-day activities in Genichesk, paralyzing the sea-based economy and casting a dark shadow over the once serene city. Local sources reported massive evacuations and issues of safety following the storm. Severe disruptions in transportation connectivity and power supply were noticeable, adding to the resident’s woes. The echoes of Mother Nature’s raw power were undoubtedly felt far and wide, proving the apocalyptic might behind the term “storm surge”.
A Lookback: Comparisons with Past Outlashes
Genichesk, despite its tranquility, is no stranger to the caprices of the weather. Over the years, the region has been victim to several powerful storms, their impacts varying in magnitude. However, the city’s memory of these past storms pales in comparison to the ‘Crimean Fury’. Observations and data obtained mark this recent surge as the most powerful in a span of 60 years, thereby placing it on a grim pedestal in the city’s weather history.
Teeth of the Storm: Unfurling the Scientific Sketch
Storm surges often originate from a complex interplay of atmospheric and oceanic factors. In this case, a range of meteorological elements came together, fuelling and culminating in this extraordinary event. Climate experts argue these events could become more frequent, as steadily rising global temperatures intensify weather patterns and phenomena. While weather-conscious residents of Genichesk and nearby regions brace themselves for potential future surges, the scientific community is intently studying the patterns to better predict and mitigate the effects of these catastrophic events.
Resilience Amidst Ruins: The Pathway to Recovery
In light of the recent calamity, the citizens of Genichesk are demonstrating commendable resilience. Recovery efforts are underway, with locals banding together to rebuild their city and restore normalcy. Stricter zoning regulations and fortified coastal structures are being proposed to better safeguard the region from future tidal events. Lessons learned from ‘The Crimea Fury’ are proving critical in shaping the city’s response to potential future calamities.
The Power of Preparedness: Staying a Step Ahead
The storm surge has underscored the necessity for improved forecasting systems and early intervention strategies to prepare for such natural disasters. Fostering a sense of emergency preparedness within communities can potentially reduce the detrimental impact of these events. As we move forward into an era of increasingly erratic weather patterns, it serves as a timely reminder that preparedness saves lives and that knowledge truly is power in the face of Mother Nature’s awesome, unpredictable might.
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