In 2022, Greece was hit by unprecedented flooding, which resulted in significant loss of life and infrastructure damage. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the restoration efforts will cost over three billion euros ($3.2 billion).
Impact of Storm Daniel and Storm Elias
September witnessed the fury of Storm Daniel, a rare Mediterranean cyclone that poured several months’ worth of rain over Thessaly, Greece’s richest agricultural area, in just a few hours. Shortly after, Storm Elias compounded the devastation. These events prompted Prime Minister Mitsotakis to label the situation as the worst flooding in Greek history.
Financial Toll of the Disaster
During his recent visit to Thessaly, the Prime Minister disclosed that rebuilding the region’s critical infrastructure, including roads, rail networks, and schools, will require an investment of approximately 1.4 billion euros. “The road network will be rebuilt better than before,” Mitsotakis assured, with the updated rail network expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Damage and Losses Sustained
The intense flooding destroyed vital transportation routes, bridges, and resulted in the drowning of tens of thousands of farm animals, highlighting the massive scale of the disaster.
Controversial Reconstruction Plans
The government’s reconstruction strategies, particularly those advised by HVA, a Dutch consulting firm, have sparked criticism from various environmental groups. Prominent organizations such as Greenpeace, WWF, the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, and the Hellenic Ornithological Society expressed their concerns last week. They argued against the favored old-fashioned dam construction approach and advocated for environmentally friendly river management practices preferred by the EU.
Environmental Concerns and Proposed Solutions
Critics of the current plans are particularly wary of the impacts of dredging rivers, which they claim could cause floodwaters to flow faster, exacerbating the problem. Additionally, there is fear that these reconstruction efforts may revive the controversial plans to divert the Achelous River—a project historically opposed and repeatedly halted by Greece’s top administrative court.
Exploration of EU-Endorsed Nature-Based Solutions
Although nature-based solutions have been considered under several EU initiatives, the advising company has indicated a gap in knowledge regarding their feasibility for large-scale projects like those needed in Thessaly. This acknowledgment points to a crucial area for future research and development in flood management strategies.
By addressing these key points, Greece hopes to not only recover from the 2022 floods but also enhance its resilience against future natural disasters.