HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS AND FLOODS – 29th December 2007

On 29th December 2007, in the afternoon and throughout the night, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms caused lots of flooding in the usual low-lying areas of Malta and Gozo, with some people having to be rescued from their cars. Fields were flooded and some rubble walls collapsed. Various telephone connections were also damaged. The beach at Ramla Bay in Gozo was carved out by the flood waters. In excess of 100mm was recorded within a period of 24 hours from noon of the 29th to noon of 30th December. The highest rainfall was recorded in Mellieha with 165.8mm. This heavy rainfall was caused by a low pressure system over the central Mediterranean which was practically stationary due to very light upper level winds.

PHOTOS TAKEN BY IVAN BARTOLO, JOE MEILAK AND JOE ZAMMIT