Water reserves for the Athens metropolitan area could last only until late 2027 if current drought conditions persist, a top official has warned, as one of the capital's main reservoirs, Lake Mornos, has fallen to historically low levels.
The situation is so dire that the submerged village of Kallio, flooded decades ago to create the artificial lake, has reemerged from the receding waters.
"Based on current figures... water reserves could last only until late 2027," Giorgos Stergiou, chairman of the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP), told Action 24 television.
Mr. Stergiou said his agency has been alerting the government to the dwindling reserves for over a year.
To address the immediate crisis, EYDAP has begun pumping water from emergency wells and other underground sources to buy time for longer-term infrastructure projects.
The crisis highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management as prolonged drought affects Greece and the wider Mediterranean region.