The largest reservoir on Naxos, Greece's largest island in the Aegean Sea, has dried up, leaving only mud flats for turtles and causing seawater intrusion that threatens the island's potato crop.
Authorities on Karpathos have restricted filling swimming pools, while Thasos seeks a desalination unit to provide potable water.
With little rainfall in months across most of Greece, the strain on water supplies is severe as the islands prepare for a record number of summer tourists, officials, farmers, and scientists warned.
Naxos Mayor Dimitris Lianos lamented the severe drought: "Our surface reservoirs are empty."
Climate change exacerbates the situation, impacting temperatures, rainfall patterns, and fueling early wildfires, some in areas where snow is typical. This year, heatwaves claimed six lives, including British TV presenter Michael Mosley.
Andrea Toreti of Copernicus Emergency Management Service emphasized the need for proactive measures: "We need to focus on prevention and preparedness."
In response to the crisis, Naxos has deployed portable desalination units to provide safe drinking water, though farmers face dire challenges with contaminated wells affecting crops like the island's renowned potatoes.
Stelios Vathrakokoilis, a local farmer, expressed dismay: "Climate change has caught up with us."
Demand for desalination units across the Mediterranean has surged, straining supply chains. Greek manufacturer Sychem noted challenges in meeting demand due to component shortages, with new units expected post-summer.
(Source: Reuters)