SEVERE THUNDERSTORM – 29th November 2011

A severe thunderstorm struck Gozo and the northwestern parts of Malta in the morning producing torrential rain and walnut-sized hail (2.5mm diameter confirmed at Victoria at around 12.30pm with unconfirmed reports of hail the size of golf balls in Xaghra and Xewkija).

Rainfall totals were: Bahrija 123.6mm, Dingli 110.2mm, Zebbug (Gozo) 107.0mm, Xaghra 91.4mm, Mgarr (Malta) 88.0mm, Gharb 85.0mm, Sannat 85.0mm, Rabat (Malta) 79.8mm, Marsalforn 77.0mm, Victoria 72.6mm, Mellieha 70.6mm and Nadur 59.8mm.

It rained hard for some three hours in Gozo, Comino and the northwest of Malta. A stone wall collapsed on an access road in Marfa which was taking traffic from Cirkewwa because of the closure of the main road for works, while pieces of tarmac were pulled off the road surface near Ghajn Qaliet in Rabat.

Just outside Mosta, a car was carried away by rainwater and the occupants were rescued by rescuers from the Civil Protection Department. The vehicle ended up upside down near a bridge. Some homes were reported flooded in Nigret and Bahrija.

Flooding was also reported in Xlendi and in Marsalforn in Gozo. In Marsalforn, a woman and two children were rescued from a car which was pushed towards the sea.

PHOTOS TAKEN BY JOHN VELLA, ROBERTO RUNZA, PAUL GALEA, BRENDAN HARNEY, CARMELINA DEGIORGIO, ROBERT HEGEDUS & JAMIE GRIMA