Storm

Rescuers in the Philippines searched on Dec. 24 for survivors of a storm that triggered floods and landslides and killed about 200 people, left scores missing and thousands homeless, most of whom apparently ignored warnings to move to safety.

Hundreds of drivers have been stranded on the main Athens to Thessaloniki highway, as a snow storm hit central Greece, on Friday./ thegreekreporter

According to reports, traffic came to a standstill about 100 km north of Athens, just north of Lake Yliki.

A 14 km long jam formed, as thousands of Athenians were travelling north for the Christmas holidays.

Nearly 90 people were killed and dozens disappeared after a tropical storm hit the southern Philippines. All victims are on Mindanao Island, bTV reports.

Moderate to heavy rains caused flooding and landslides in central Philippines as tropical storm Kai-tak made landfall Saturday afternoon, and may hit more areas while moving westward, the weather bureau said Saturday.

Hundreds of thousands of households in Western Europe were left without electricity because of the snowstorms that caused transport chaos in places in the UK and Germany, reports bTV. 

In most countries, the weather is quite dynamic and there are warnings of a dangerous weather in many places, the bTV weatherman reported.

The first snow of the season in high places in Ankara, and torrential rains in the lower parts of the Turkish capital, confused the daily rhythm of life, Turkish NTV television reported.

Heavy rain and hail has hit Athens, turning the roads into rivers, causing chaotic traffic jams at the city center.

The phenomena are expected to make the situation at the flooded Mandra even worse.

At least 27 are the victims of the typhoon "Damrey", which has hit the central and southern coastal areas of Vietnam, Reuters reported.

Five people were killed and 85 injured as a result of the typhoon Lan that hit Japan, reports TASS. 

Tropical Storm Ophelia has gained strength in the Atlantic and yesterday became a hurricane, the National Hurricane Center reported.