Northern Greece is currently facing a major water crisis as prolonged drought conditions worsened by successive heatwaves have led to below-average rainfall for up to three years. This has resulted in dried-up lakes, water shortages, and even the death of wild horses in the region. Popular destinations such as Lake Picrolimni have completely dried up, leaving the once-popular mud baths impossible to enjoy.
Local officials are urgently requesting public works to restore the water supply from Lake Doirani, which has receded significantly. Experts are calling for major changes in water management to mitigate the impacts of climate change, including better infrastructure to collect and store rainwater and the reuse of treated wastewater for agriculture.
Farmers are also facing challenges due to the water crisis, with one olive farmer reporting that boreholes have almost dried up, forcing them to rely on water trucked in from other areas to irrigate their fields. The booming tourist season in the region has exacerbated the crisis, with the population of Kassandra swelling to 650,000 in the summer, placing unsustainable pressure on water resources.
Overall, the water crisis in northern Greece highlights the urgent need for improved water management practices and infrastructure to address the impacts of climate change and ensure the sustainable use of water resources in the region.
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