Seven Greek islands declare drought emergencies as summer begins
- Greece’s islands are facing a challenging summer with warnings of hot weather and water shortages, driven by increased tourism and the impacts of climate change.
- The island of Astypalaia is one of seven in the Aegean Sea that has declared a drought emergency, relying on bottled water and experiencing its second driest season since 2020, despite a wet winter in other parts of Greece.
- Local authorities on Astypalaia have implemented a water emergency, blocking irrigation for farmers and fast-tracking a temporary desalination plant to conserve dwindling water reserves.
- The island’s main water reservoir holds only a sixth of its capacity, with summer consumption rates indicating it could be depleted within five and a half months.
- The Greek government has approved €15 million for water infrastructure on nine islands, as experts warn that rising global temperatures could exacerbate water scarcity by 2049.
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