Update: Heavy rain and thunderstorms swept across the Maltese islands during yesterday evening and early this morning, causing wide spread damage and flooding.

In St George’s Square, a water tank was forced out of its position by the heavy rain and wind landing on the roof of a nearby house, causing the roof to collapse with debris falling onto the bed below. Fortunately nobody was sleeping in the room at the time and there were no injuries to the occupants of the house. The rescue service attended to aid those on the scene.

In Victoria Gozo, 58mm of rain was recorded up to midday on Monday. Readers have reported that areas of the island were without power from around 3am this morning, with parts of Fontana, still without power at 11am.

The small bird population that roost in trees around the villages and squares have been decimated after they were struck by the heavy rain, wind and hail. Hundreds of either dead or dying birds, are lying in the road and on the pavement in St Francis Square Victoria.

The Civil Protection Department issued a statement earlier today urging motorists to avoid low-lying areas that are normally prone to flooding, with the threat of more thunderstorms possible until at least 2pm today.

Gozo and Comino had about 3 hours of prolonged heavy rain, causing some areas of the island to flood, particularly in Marsalforn and Xlendi.

The Civil Protection Department has this tonight issued an updated warning advising of the continued threat of more thunderstorms until late this evening.

Photographs by Beppe Galea of this morning’s storm on Gozo.

Permalink: Thunderstorms, strong winds and hail sweep across Gozo