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Cyprus News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-02-04
CONTENTS
[01] Snow in Nicosia
[01] Snow in Nicosia
Nicosia,Cyprus,04/02/1997 (CNA) -- People in Nicosia woke up to white
covered roof tops and snow on trees and their cars Tuesday morning, after
snow fell in Cyprus' capital for the first time in five years. The slight
snowfall in Nicosia began in the early hours of the morning and continued
till about 0830 local time (0630 GMT). It has also snowed in the southern
coastal town of Larnaca and the free Famagusta region, for the first time
in years, as well as in Troodos mountain range. An officer of the
Meteorogical Departement told CNA the slight snowfall is due to ''very cold
air masses coming from the north'', but noted it is not expected to
continue. He added temperatures today are four to five degrees Centigrade
lower than usual, and is expected to be about 10 degrees Centigrade, during
the day, instead of 15 degrees. The same officer said the last time there
was slight snowfall in Nicosia was in January and February 1992, in
February 1983 and before that there was snow coverage in March 1980. Unused
to snow falling on an island that has had a sunny winter and is facing a
dire water shortage problem, people were calling radio stations today to
ask if they should take their children to school. However, according to the
Education Ministry, schools are operating as usual, apart from two schools
in the mountainous villages of Pedoulas and Lemithou. Teachers at Pedoulas
school are from Nicosia and could not reach the village today, as the road
was closed because of snow. The spokesperson for the Ministry also said
fewer pupils turned up for lessons at the Agros village school.
CNA MA/GP/1997
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
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