Greece"s sunken village reappears amid rainfall crisis in Mornos reservoir

The Mornos reservoir, crucial for supplying water to Athens, has seen alarming declines in water levels, primarily due to a series of heatwaves and insufficient rainfall. This has led to the unexpected re-emergence of Kallio, a village that was submerged nearly five decades ago when the reservoir was created. The community, which once thrived, was displaced, and many of its buildings, including a church and a school, were lost to the waters. As the outlines of these structures become visible again, local residents express their distress over the situation. The current drought conditions are unprecedented, with water levels reported to be down by 30% compared to the previous year. This has raised significant concerns about water shortages across Greece, particularly in popular tourist areas that rely heavily on limited water resources. The government has acknowledged the severity of the crisis, with officials from the water utility company Eydap emphasizing the need for improved water management strategies. In response to the ongoing crisis, plans are being developed to enhance water resource management, including investments of approximately €750 million. The Greek Prime Minister has also indicated the necessity of constructing additional dams to secure water supplies for the future. The situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable practices in water usage, especially as climate change continues to impact rainfall patterns. As the winter approaches, the community and officials alike are hopeful for significant rainfall to alleviate the crisis. However, the re-emergence of Kallio serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of environmental mismanagement and the pressing need for proactive measures to protect Greece's water resources.