Landslides and floods wash away roads overlooking Lake Como in northern Italy where it’s feared severe storms could cause ‘disaster’

Landslides and floods have washed away roads overlooking Lake Como in northern Italy where it’s feared that severe storms could cause ‘disaster’.

The Poppea cyclone struck from Northern Europe on the Ligurian Sea and is set to tear across all of the country’s northern regions.

Powerful winds and heavy rain over the weekend have caused widespread flooding and devastation in Italy and Spain. 

The strong winds and torrential rain hit northern Italy, first in Lombardy on Saturday, when heavy storms uprooted trees and damaged roofs, and then in Liguria on Sunday. 

Heavy rain over the past few hours has caused a landslide in Blevio, in the province of Como in northern Italy, with video showing a river of debris and muddy water flowing down the hillside towards the flooded street.

Landslides and floods wash away roads overlooking Lake Como in northern Italy

Video shows a river of debris and muddy water flowing down the hillside towards the flooded street in Blevio, in the province of Como, northern Italy

A river of muddy water running towards the road in Blevio. Heavy rain and landslides have caused damage in the area with fire crews attending to the scene

Another video shows torrential rain sweeping across the port in Trieste in northern Italy as motorists brave the heavy winds.

There is also a notable flood risk in Liguria, Piedmont and Lombardy.

The cyclone has started its path towards central southern Italy, according to forecasts, with severe thunderstorms reported in Puglia, especially along the Adriatic coastal areas.

Meanwhile, train services between France and Italy have been stopped until Thursday at the earliest, after a massive rockslide in the Maurienne valley in the French Alps. It also blocked some of the roads, officials said on Monday. 

Another video shows torrential rain sweeping across the port in Trieste in northern Italy 

Motorists can be seen braving the heavy winds and rainy conditions in Trieste, northern Italy

Weather in northern Italy at 2.20pm on Monday. The north west, especially Liguria, is experiencing heavy rainfall and the north east and Lombardy have also experienced heavy thunderstorms later this afternoon

The Frejus tunnel connecting France and Italy under the Alps has also been closed to heavy trucks, with drivers being advised to use the Mont Blanc tunnel or the A8 motorway instead. 

Spain’s Mediterranean coastline was struck on Sunday by strong winds and heavy rain, which caused material damage and disrupted several flights. 

Gusts of up to 120 km/h, downpours and occasional bouts of hail hit the Balearic Islands and the Catalonia and Valencia regions, all three of which were placed partially under orange alert (high risk) on Sunday by the National Meteorological Agency (Aemet).