In a striking consequence of Greece’s record-breaking heatwaves and prolonged drought, the submerged village of Kallio has resurfaced for the first time in 30 years. Once hidden beneath the waters of the Mornos dam, Kallio’s ruins now stand as a ghostly reminder of the environmental challenges facing Greece. As water levels in the reservoir drop, the foundations of homes, schools, and churches that were sacrificed to supply Athens with water are reappearing, offering both a window into the past and a warning for the future.
A Village Lost to the Waters
The story of Kallio dates back to the late 1970s when the construction of the Mornos dam, about 200 kilometers west of Athens, led to the deliberate flooding of the village. Nearly 80 homes, a church, and a school were submerged to create the artificial lake that would help meet the water needs of the capital city. For the villagers, it was a devastating loss. “You see the first floor that remains of my father-in-law’s two-story house… and next to it, you can see what’s left of my cousins’ house,” recalls 60-year-old Yorgos Iosifidis, one of the villagers who was displaced when the dam was built.
A Return to Lost Memories
(Image: APF)
Iosifidis, like many others, had to start anew on higher ground. But the reappearance of his childhood home, brought about by the drop in water levels, has stirred memories and emotions. What was once considered a sacrifice for the greater good now serves as a stark reminder of the toll that climate change is taking on water resources across the country.
Drought Unveils History
This year’s drought in Greece has been severe, exacerbating the already arid conditions of the Mediterranean climate. Record-breaking temperatures in June and July, combined with one of the mildest winters on record, have reduced the water level in Lake Mornos by 30 percent. As a result, the submerged remnants of Kallio have reappeared, revealing the past that had long been hidden beneath the surface.
Mornos Reservoir’s Decline
The Mornos reservoir is one of the key sources of water for Athens, a city home to a third of Greece’s population. With water levels dropping by 40 meters (131 feet) in recent months, the re-emergence of Kallio serves as both a visual reminder of the effects of drought and a sobering indication of the growing water crisis in the region.
The Fragility of Water Resources
For many, the sight of Kallio is a wake-up call. Greece’s water reserves are falling at an alarming rate. In September 2022, the Attica region’s reserves stood at 1.1 billion cubic meters. A year later, they had dropped to 950 million, and now they are expected to fall to 700 million cubic meters—enough to last around three years if conditions don’t improve. This decline is worrying, particularly for the 3.7 million people living in and around Athens.
Urgent Call for Action
(Image by Angelos TZORTZINIS)
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently addressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We don’t have the luxury to waste water… at a time when we know with certainty that we will have less water, we must protect water resources more methodically than we have done so far.” His words underscore the critical need for improved water management, as Greece faces both droughts and floods with increasing frequency due to climate change.
Life Amid the Drought
In nearby villages like Amygdalia, where residents have long relied on the water from the Mornos reservoir, the impact of the drought is undeniable. “The situation is difficult at the moment, so we have to be careful with water,” says 26-year-old doctor Anastasis Papageorgiou. With little rain or snow over the past two years, water conservation has become a priority. Locals are adjusting to the reality of dwindling water supplies and are mindful of their usage, knowing that reserves are shrinking.
Kallio’s Reemergence
The return of Kallio from beneath the water is more than just an eerie spectacle; it symbolizes the fragile balance between human needs and natural resources. As droughts worsen, the need to rethink water usage and conservation becomes more urgent. The Greek government has already begun tapping into additional reservoirs and exploring new strategies for managing the country’s water supply, but much work remains to be done.
A New Future for Water in Greece
The re-emergence of Kallio is a stark reminder of the water management challenges Greece faces in the age of climate change. While the submerged village tells a story of the past, it also signals the need for immediate action to safeguard the future. Greece uses 85 percent of its water for irrigation, and the prime minister has emphasized the need to build more dams and adopt more efficient irrigation systems. Without these measures, the country’s water crisis is likely to worsen, leaving its cities and rural communities vulnerable.
Kallio’s Haunting Return
The haunting image of Kallio rising from the depths of Lake Mornos is a powerful symbol of the effects of climate change, drought, and the human capacity to adapt. As Greece navigates the challenges of an uncertain future, the lessons from this sunken village may guide the country toward more sustainable solutions for water management and conservation.
A Village Reborn as a Cautionary Tale
Kallio’s reappearance is both a window into Greece’s history and a reflection of the environmental challenges that lie ahead. The village, once lost to the waters in service of Athens’ growing population, now stands as a cautionary tale about the fragility of water resources in a warming world. As droughts and extreme weather events become more common, Greece’s water crisis offers a glimpse into the future that many regions around the world may face. How we respond to these challenges will determine whether the sacrifices made for progress, like those of Kallio, were worth it in the long run.
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