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Bad weather in Greece has already taken its first victim. A 47-year-old man has died in his car, which was dragged from the river Krousovitis near Sidirokastro, near the border with Bulgaria. Another resident of the city is reported missing but, so far, the special units’ members have not found another body near the river.

Heavy rains and violent winds have caused problems in most of Greece. The swollen river Pinios has demolished a bridge near the village of Diava near Kalambaka, causing no casualties.

Traffic on several secondary roads in the region is interrupted as they have been flooded by a river that has burst its banks. Problems with flooded fields, streets and courtyards have been registered in the mountain villages in the regions of Xanthi and Komotini in northern Greece.

The heavy rains that had not stopped for two days flooded farmland in lowland regions of Epirus whereas since early Sunday noon it snowed in areas above 1,000 metres.

It has been snowing in all mountain areas since early morning, including near Thessaloniki and Athens. Snowflakes appeared even in Thessaloniki city centre, creating traffic problems.

Traffic on the ring road is difficult, as the tunnel near Toumba neighbourhood is closed because of a minor accident. Traffic police have preventively interrupted the traffic on the road Chortiatis - Agios Vasilios. Due to frost, movement of traffic towards Halkidiki is taking place only in one lane near the village of Kardia. The road to the suburb of Oreokastro is also cut off and the schools there are closed.

It is snowing in the coastal city of Volos too. Snowfall in Mount Pilion began on Sunday afternoon and continues at present. The snow that has banked up has caused traffic problems and the use of chains is obligatory.

Strong winds have thwarted sea trips. Ship sailing only from the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio near Athens has resumed. The routes from Salamina to Perama are serviced only by captain’s permission. The trips on the routes Agia Marina-Nea Styra on Evia, Rio - Antirio between the Peloponnese and western Greece, Keramoti - Thassos, Igoumenitsa - Corfu, Igoumenitsa - Lefkimi and Kyllini - Zakynthos have resumed. The routes along the line Kavala - Prinos are still suspended.

The use of chains is obligatory in the mountainous regions of the northern Peloponnese and in northern Greece, particularly in Western Macedonia.

In connection with bad weather and the expected continuation of lower temperatures in the coming days, the municipality of Athens has opened two rooms that are available to vulnerable citizens of the capital. They are in the pensioners' club in the neighbourhood of Agios Pavlos (Larissis Underground Station) and in the Grava cultural centre, reachable by bus № 054.

The municipal office of social solidarity and health, and the team members at the municipal reception and solidarity centre as well as other government and voluntary organizations will inform the homeless about the opening of the two heated rooms and transport them there.

The operators of telephone line 1595 of Athens municipality will respond 24 hours a day to citizens seeking help in case of emergency.

According to the Hellenic Meteorological Service, today it will snow in places in the mountainous and hilly regions in mainland Greece, Evia, the Sporades Islands, the islands in the northern and eastern Aegean Sea and possibly on the Cycladic islands and Crete.

North winds will blow, reaching 8 on the Beaufort scale at sea. Temperatures will be lower in northern Greece, falling to -12°C. Meteorologists expect a gradual improvement in the weather from Tuesday noon onwards indicating, however, that temperatures will remain very low until the end of the week.