Greek islands face drought as tourist season hits
Officials fast-track desalination and restrict irrigation as tourist-season demand strains supplies on islands already facing the second driest season since 2020.
- Seven Greek islands in the Aegean Sea declared drought emergencies this year to preserve water as climate change makes summers hotter and rainfall more erratic, with Astypalaia marked orange by the Copernicus European Drought Observatory in June.
- The Livadi lake, Astypalaia's sole reservoir, now holds 150,000 cubic metres—one-sixth of capacity—while Mayor Nikos Komineas noted annual rainfall would measure just 2.5 centimeters if collected in a bucket.
- Authorities blocked irrigation for farmers in Livadi in May to safeguard reserves, forcing farmer Evdokia Palatianou to say, "Unless it rains, I won't plant anything," as her vegetables withered from brackish well water.
- Environment Minister Stavros Papastavrou approved $17 million for desalination, grid upgrades and water tanks across nine Greek islands, including 1.5 million euros for Astypalaia, while hotelier Maria Alkalai offered guests a 5-euro voucher to skip cleaning.
- Summer tourism swells the island's population to 7,000 from 1,400 in midsummer, straining water supplies, while the Athens-based National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos projects drought could worsen by 2049 as global temperatures rise.
13 Articles
13 Articles
The crisis in the middle of the high tourist season. Environment Minister: "Water is a matter of security and economic growth for Greece"
Greek islands are struggling with drought. One of them is the small Aegean island of Astypalea. If the island doesn't receive enough rain in the winter, tourist visits to the island could be in jeopardy.
Greek islands battle drought as travellers arrive for peak tourist season
Seven Greek islands declared drought emergencies this year amid climate change impacts. Astypalaia relies on bottled water as its sole reservoir is critically low. Farmers face restrictions while authorities install temporary desalination plants. Hoteliers offer incentives for guests to conserve water usage. Drought conditions are projected to worsen by 2049.
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