Greece faces severe drought: lake Pikrolimni disappears

Lake Pikrolimni, nestled in central Macedonia's Kilkis prefecture, was once a sought-after destination known for its therapeutic mud baths. Today, it stands as a barren expanse, a stark testament to the severe drought that has ravaged northern Greece. "There has been no rain for two years, so the lake has completely dried up," said Costas Partsis, the local municipality's president, in an interview with Euronews. This environmental loss also deals a heavy blow to the local economy, which once thrived on tourism centered around the lake.

Photo: Wikipedia

Northern Greece is grappling with an unprecedented water crisis, as lakes like Pikrolimni and Doiran dry up and water reserves deplete rapidly. Doiran Lake, on the border with North Macedonia, has seen its shoreline retreat by over 300 meters in recent years, leaving local communities in turmoil. The crisis has become so severe that local officials are urgently calling for measures to restore water levels, echoing experts' demands for more sustainable and efficient water management practices.

Photo: Wikipedia

Climate change is a major driver of this crisis, with steadily rising temperatures and diminishing rainfall wreaking havoc on Greece's water reserves. However, as Professor Konstantinos S. Voudouris from the University of Thessaloniki pointed out in an interview with Euronews, ineffective water management has exacerbated the situation. Outdated infrastructure causes significant water loss, making it increasingly difficult to address the impacts of global warming. Targeted interventions and more efficient management are crucial to prevent further deterioration.

Agriculture, a key pillar of Greece’s economy, is under severe threat due to the ongoing drought. Farmers like Dimitris Papadakis in northern Greece are struggling daily to keep their crops alive. As reported by Euronews, Papadakis has resorted to extreme measures, such as transporting water from distant areas and using generators for irrigation. Despite these efforts, experts predict the drought could slash expected harvests by up to 50%, jeopardizing the agricultural sector and the region’s economic stability.

The disappearance of Lake Pikrolimni mirrors the fate of Lake Pergusa, Sicily's only natural lake. Extreme drought and pollution have led to the dramatic reduction of this basin, officially declared lost on June 26, 2024. These cases are not isolated; across Europe and worldwide, droughts are becoming an increasingly urgent concern. Water crises highlight the critical need to tackle climate change and enhance water management through coordinated efforts at local, national, and international levels.