Greek farmers and wildlife struggle as drought depletes water supplies

Farmers and residents in northern Greece are battling severe water shortages as persistent droughts have dried up lakes, wells and groundwater, threatening crops and wildlife.

Costas Kantouris reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

• The ongoing drought has forced farmers like Dimitris Papadakis to rely on water trucks to irrigate their fields, as groundwater sources dry up.
• The drought, worsened by climate change and tourism, has led to extreme water scarcity, impacting both human and animal populations.
• Experts emphasize the urgent need for improved water management, including conservation and reuse strategies, to combat future droughts.

Key quote:

“These drought phenomena will return with greater intensity in the future. We need to take action and plan ahead to minimize their impact… and we must adapt to this new reality.”

— Konstantinos S. Voudouris, professor of hydrogeology at the University of Thessaloniki

Why this matters:

Northern Greece's persistent drought is a stark reminder of the escalating climate crisis. Without better water management, agricultural losses and wildlife deaths could become increasingly common.

Related: Greece embraces energy democracy with citizen-driven renewable energy