GREEK DEADLY FLOODS

Many towns under water

October 2023 Seventeen people have been declared dead following the flash floods which hit Greece early last week. All of the deaths occurred in the central Thessaly region. Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey and most recently Libya have all suffered extensive flooding, with Storm Daniel the largest Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone ever recorded. In Libya around 20,000 are feared dead. Much of Thessaly was turned into a giant lake including parts of Larissa and Volos, the region’s largest cities. Given the large number of undocumented migrant workers employed as pickers in Thessaly’s agriculture industry, the real death toll is likely much higher. Speaking on SKAI TV last Friday, Yiannis Hatzis, a resident of the town of Palamas, said: “Dead livestock animals are floating past like they are boats and three to four houses have been demolished. There is no co-ordinated response [from the government]. Help should have been provided from the beginning.” The floods have also affected the water supply system, leaving much of the region, including Volos (population 90,000 plus), with no access to drinking water. Power supply has been sketchy, with around 4,000 households across Thessaly receiving no electricity a week later. Scientists have raised the alarm over the public health risks posed by stagnant flood waters and the vast numbers of dead livestock. There have been 198 confirmed cases of gastroenteritis reported in Thessaly, many of which have required hospitalisation. There is also a spike in respiratory tract infections. The government knew very well how climate change was making such an event more likely. The Environment Ministry’s own maps from 2018 already flagged most of the areas affected by the recent floods as high risk. Three years ago, Thessaly was hit by floods during Storm Ianos. In response, the government allocated €400 million supposedly to strengthen the region’s anti-flood defences. But it is clear nothing was done.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia