Cyclone Harry’s torrential rain has caused destructive landslides in Niscemi, Sicily, forcing 1,500 evacuations and leaving homes precariously perched on collapsing cliffs.
Niscemi, Italy: Violent storms linked to Cyclone Harry have triggered landslides in the Sicilian town of Niscemi, destroying parts of the historic plateau and leaving some homes dangerously suspended above eroded cliff edges. Italian authorities have evacuated more than 1,500 residents as emergency teams respond to widespread damage.
Two significant landslides struck the town between January 16 and 25, following intense rainfall that overwhelmed the plateau on which Niscemi sits. According to Italy’s civil protection agency, the collapsing terrain severely impacted the local road network, damaged buildings, and disrupted essential services, prompting urgent safety warnings for residents in affected neighbourhoods.
Cyclone Harry brought torrential rain, wind gusts of up to 120 km/h, and waves reaching 8–9 metres along Sicily’s coast. The severe weather also battered neighbouring regions such as Calabria and Sardinia, washing away entire coastal promenades and causing extensive infrastructure damage. Sicily was hit particularly hard, with flooding and landslides compounding longstanding weather risks.
As emergency crews continue evacuations and assess structural stability, authorities have urged residents to avoid unstable ground and cliffside areas until conditions stabilise and safety measures are implemented.
