Greece Braces for Worst Flooding in 15 Years Amid Heavy Rainfall

Greece has been plunged into crisis as heavy rainfall over the past several days has pushed rivers to record-breaking levels, threatening dozens of villages and towns in the northeastern region of Evros. The Evros River is at an unprecedented six-meter height due to a massive amount of water flowing down from Bulgaria, prompting the Greek government to request that Bulgaria take immediate action to reduce the flow of water. As a state of emergency continues for a second day, the Greek government is preparing for the worst, with the army on standby to evacuate residents and their property.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Evros region in northeastern Greece is facing the worst flooding in the past 15 years, with the Evros River at an unprecedented six-meter height.
  • The flooding is caused by a massive amount of water flowing down from Bulgaria, as well as a rapid thaw of ice in the region.
  • The Greek government has requested that Bulgaria take steps to reduce the flow of water toward Greece to alleviate the situation.
  • A state of emergency has been declared in the northern Greek prefecture of Evros, with the Evros, Ardas, and Erythropotamos rivers still above the dangerous water levels.
  • Several villages along the River Evros have been flooded, with dozens of others ordered to prepare for possible evacuation.
  • Approximately 50,000 acres of farmland have been inundated with water, with many dikes burst due to the excessive water flow.
  • The Greek government is working with Bulgaria and Turkey to find a permanent solution to the problem, which they describe as requiring "very delicate handling."

Statistics:

  • 50,000 acres of farmland have been inundated with water.
  • The Evros River is at an unprecedented six-meter height.
  • Thousands of cubic meters of water flow into the Ardas and Evros rivers every hour.
  • Officials are bracing for the worst, with the expectation of potential human casualties.

Sources:

  • XINHUA NEWS AGENCY, Copyright 2006, Xinhua via COMTEX.