NEA SILATA, Greece — With his olive grove suffering from a severe lack of water, farmer Dimitris Papadakis in northern Greece has resorted to a new routine six weeks before harvest. He and his son now transport water from neighboring areas using a truck, connecting it to irrigation pipes with a small generator to save their thirsty crop. The groundwater beneath Papadakis’ 270 olive trees is depleting and turning brackish due to the prolonged drought, expected to halve his anticipated yield.
Southern Europe has been grappling with intense heatwaves this summer, compounded by below-average rainfall over the past few years, leading to expanded drought areas on the map. In Greece, this has resulted in water shortages, drying up of lakes, and even the loss of wild horses. The water crisis has been worsened by a surge in tourism, putting significant strain on water resources in popular destinations like Halkidiki.
The mayor of Kassandra notes a 30-40% decrease in water supply following three consecutive winters with minimal rainfall, aggravating the situation in the area. Residents like Haroula Psaropoulou in Nea Potidea are facing frequent household water cuts lasting up to five days during the scorching heat, resorting to recycling water for various purposes. The European Union’s Emergency Management Service reports acute drought conditions around the Black Sea, extending into northern Greece.
Severe drought along the Evros River between Greece and Turkey has led to an increase in seawater levels in the delta, threatening the survival of wild horses dependent on the river for water. Efforts are underway to establish freshwater drinking spots for the horses to prevent further casualties. Popular spots like Lake Picrolimni have completely dried up due to the lack of rain over the past two years, impacting tourism and local economies.
Experts like Konstantinos S. Voudouris, a hydrogeology professor at the University of Thessaloniki, stress the need for updated water management strategies to combat the effects of climate change. Voudouris emphasizes the importance of conservation, storage, and reuse of water resources to mitigate the impact of prolonged drought periods that are expected to intensify in the future. In the face of these challenges, communities and authorities must adapt and plan ahead to safeguard water sources and agricultural livelihoods.
