The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 05-12-29

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Many Rivers on the Brink of Overflowing Rain Causes Problems

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET - NET 105.8

Major problems were recorded in Attica last night by the heavy downpour, which converted many streets into surging streams, especially in the western part of the Prefecture. The Fire Department received 80 calls for flooding in Kamatero, Ilion, Nea Philadelphia, Kifisia and Nea Erythrea. In the meantime, the traffic flow has been disrupted in the Ioannina Prefecture road network, due to the landslides caused by the pouring rain. In Agrinio, the local Fire Department received 70 calls to pump water, while floods were recorded in the village Stratos and in Preveza. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service issued an emergency weather bulletin, warning of thunderstorms and gusty winds as of tonight on the Ionia islands, in Epirus, western Sterea and western Peloponnese. The winds will range between 9 and 10 on the Beaufort scale.

On the Brink of Overflowing

The Prefecture and many municipalities in Preveza are on alert due to the floods caused by the rainfall in the last three days.

The rivers Louros and Acherontas are in danger of overflowing, while major damages have been recorded to crops and a significant part of the regional road network

Prefecture crews, in collaboration with other relevant authorities, are making efforts to deal with the situation and construct small levees, since the weather forecasts are quite grim.

Problems were also recorded in the Prefecture of Arta, with damages to crops and regional roads. In addition, River Arachthos is on the brink of overflowing.

According to the meteorologists, rain and local thunderstorms are expected on Friday throughout the country, which will be more severe in western Greece, Macedonia, Thrace and the islands of northern and eastern Aegean. The winds will range between 9 and 10 on the Beaufort scale.

The weather is expected to gradually start improving as of Friday afternoon, while the extreme conditions will have subsided by Saturday afternoon.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Downpour Causes Problems in Attica

Sailing Ban

[02] Cars Swept Away Downpour Causes Problems in Attica

By Vivian Papastefanou

Sources: ANA

The heavy downpour that afflicted the western and northern suburbs of Attica around 10pm on Wednesday night converted the streets into surging streams. The level of the water reached up to one metre in several areas, while cars were swept away in Fylis Avenue, Kamatero, in Chaidari and in Skra and Chiou Streets, Nea Philadelphia. Traffic came to a standstill in the old Athens-Corinth national highway close to the Pyrkal factory, while the traffic flow was disrupted in the streets surrounding the Attiko Hospital in Chaidari. The Fire Department received 65 calls for flooding in Ilion, Kamatero, Nea Philadelphia, Kifisia and Nea Erythrea, within the span of ten minutes. The problems were slowly reinstated after 11pm, while the waters started receding as the rain stopped a little later.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] Thinking like Dogs!

By Vagelis Theodorou

Officials at the German post office found a very effective way to stop dog attacks on postmen while on duty. Actually, they have not equipped their workers with durable costumes and protective helmets, but they started giving lessons in canine psychology instead. Among other things, the seminars include theoretical and practical advice on how to psychoanalyse the four-legged creatures, as well as ways to collaborate with and handle dogs. At the same time, they explain why it is not possible to cycle faster than a dog and they also demonstrate how to hand the mail to a person who is walking their dog without being bitten.

The innovative and useful courses were introduced in 2001 and over 80,000 postal employees have learnt how to psychoanalyse dogs so far.

Deutsche Post spokesperson Sylvia Blesing noted that the seminars must be working, since the dog attacks this Christmas are the lowest of the last ten years. Postman Rolf Schulz from Berlin, who attended the course, said, "It gave me a real insight into how dogs behave and what causes them to bite."

However, many people are quite critical of the courses, describing them as pointless. On the other hand, dog trainer Stefan Biegier defended the seminars, while at the same time he suggested to citizens that they tie their dogs when they know when their mail is to be delivered, since German postmen are very punctual.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related Links:

Deutsche Post

[04] As of Today, due to the New Year's Celebrations Traffic Restrictions in Athens

By Vagelis Theodorou

Kotzia Square in the centre of Athens is getting ready to welcome the New Year, as it will host the celebrations on the night. Athinas Street, from the intersection with Lykourgou Street to the intersection with Sofokleous Street, will remain closed as of today and until 1 January, due to the preparation works in the area. At the same time, the bus routes passing from those points have been altered.

Specifically, changes were made to routes 049 (Piraeus Omonia), 838 (Omonia Rentis Palea Kokkinia), 914 (Omonia Lachanagora Pelea Kokkinia), 200 (Museum Agora Kolonaki) and 227 (Ano Petralona Agios Artemios).

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[05] Eventful Night Car on Fire in Athens

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET - NET 105.8 - ANA

A private vehicle that was destroyed by fire in the early hours of the morning in front of the Library at Propylaia, Athens, has been towed to the Forensic Departments labs. An empty gas tank and several plastic bottles containing flammable liquid were found in the car. According to the latest information, the vehicle belonged to a 52-year-old man from the Prefecture of Achaia, who is wanted by police in order to testify in a pending case. A briefcase containing many notes, probably written by the owner, was found in the trunk, and according to police officials, the man was facing family problems. Furthermore, an hour earlier, a group of unknowns threw a hand grenade at the entrance of an opticians on 9 Faneromenis Street, Cholargos, causing minor damages to the store and a vehicle parked nearby.

According to the police, a man drove onto the pedestrian walk on Akadimias Street from Panepistimiou Street, parked in front of the entrance to the building, while evidence showed that he showered the interior of the car with flammable liquid and fled the scene in the pouring rain, after setting the car on fire.

The guard of the Academy notified the Fire Department, which arrived on site and put out the fire. The firemen then located the gas tank in the backseat, prompting them to initially believe that it was an arsonist attack.

This scenario, however, was rejected once it was established that the car had not been reported as stolen and the gas tank was empty.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] At the Village of Dhafeer Lethal Landslide in Yemen

By Betty Savourdou

At least twelve people lost their lives in Yemen, including many women and children, when a landslide destroyed a whole village southwest of the capital Sanaa, while dozens of people are still missing. According to the authorities, rocks fell down a hill in the village of Dhafeer, 60km from Sanaa, burying the village and destroying approximately 50 houses. The police have cordoned off the area, while rescue crews are looking for survivors. Some ten people have been injured, some of them seriously, and have been transferred to hospitals. A government spokesperson expressed fears that the death toll may reach 80. The extent of the damages from the landslide is not clear yet.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

Reuters: Landslides destroy Yemen village, kill at least 12

[07] Fire in Mental Clinic in Moscow

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: Reuters

Seven people were tragically killed and another 12 were injured in a fire that broke out in the early hours of Thursday morning in a mental clinic close to the Moscow, as per the Itar-Tass news agency. A spokesperson for Russias Emergencies Ministry said the fire started at about 4 am (local time) in the clinic at the village of Dmitrovsky Pogost 150 km southeast of the Russian capital. There were 53 patients and two staff members in the two-storey hospital at the time. As per the spokesperson, the majority of people were evacuated from the burning building.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Read the story on other sources:

BBC: Many killed in Moscow clinic fire

[08] Congestion in Tax offices Extension for E9 Tax Declarations

By Betty Savourdou

Sources: NET

Havoc and congestion prevail in most Greek tax offices, as many citizens are arriving practically at the last minute to settle any pending tax matters. However, extensions were granted until 27 January for the electronic submission of collective client-supplier lists and E9 tax declarations (for owners of immovable properties). On the other hand, the deadlines for old tax rates for vehicle transfers and the purchase of car registrations will expire tomorrow.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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