Karpathos has become the latest Greek island to be placed in a state of emergency due to a severe shortage of drinking water, as authorities prepare for increased demand during the peak summer tourism season, according to ekathimerini.com
The declaration, announced by the Environment and Energy Ministry, will remain in effect for three months and may be extended if necessary. While largely administrative in nature, the measure enables local authorities to speed up water management initiatives and emergency infrastructure projects.
According to the ministry, Karpathos is facing significant pressure on its water supplies following a prolonged period of drought, which has sharply reduced available resources. The situation is expected to worsen as visitor numbers rise over the coming months.
The island joins a growing list of regions that have received similar emergency status over the past year, including Corfu, Meganissi, Leros, Patmos, Astypalea, Symi and the wider Athens area.
The designation allows municipalities to fast-track solutions such as the installation or leasing of desalination units and other measures aimed at securing water supplies.
Water scarcity has long been a challenge for many of Greece’s Aegean islands due to their dry climate and environmental pressures, including the loss of vegetation caused by overgrazing. Traditional water conservation practices have also become less common in recent decades.
At the same time, the continued growth of tourism has intensified demand for freshwater resources. Increased development and the expansion of water-intensive facilities have added further strain to already limited supplies, highlighting the need for long-term water management strategies across many island communities.
Source: ekathimerini.com
