After enduring a punishing heatwave, Greece is now facing a severe drought, with no rainfall for several months. The summer heat has become unbearable, and water is becoming increasingly scarce.
According to Reuters on Saturday (July 13), the largest reservoir on Naxos Island has dried up, leaving only turtles able to access the remaining water. Downstream, seawater has seeped into empty irrigation wells, damaging potato crops.
Meanwhile, on the northern island of Thasos, officials are seeking desalination units to make seawater drinkable.
As the islands prepare to welcome a large influx of summer tourists, the strain on water supplies is becoming more intense, say officials, farmers, and scientists.
Every year, millions of tourists visit Greece to enjoy its ancient sites, pristine beaches, and turquoise waters. However, the impacts of climate change—including higher temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and wildfires—are threatening the future of the country’s largest economic driver.
This year, Greece faces enormous challenges. After the warmest winter on record, wildfires have started earlier than usual, even in areas that typically experience snowfall. At least six tourists, including famous British TV presenter Michael Mosley, died last month during the heatwave.
As the islands continue to dry up, the country’s struggle for water becomes ever more critical, impacting both the local population and the millions of tourists who flock to its shores each year.