Tourists are facing soaring temperatures and water scarcity on at least seven Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. The islands face a water shortage, and a drought emergency has been declared.
As climate change brings hotter summers and erratic rainfall, some fear that next year’s rains will not sustain both local communities and the seasonal influx of tourists, which puts extra strain on supplies.
The islands affected are Astypalaia, Tinos, Alonissos, Leros, Patmos, Symi and Karpathos.
The island of Astypalaia, now relying heavily on bottled water, missed the wet winter that benefited much of mainland Greece, recording its second driest season since 2020.
“If we collected all the rain that fell year‑round would cover just 2.5 cm in a basin,” says mayor Nikos Komineas, beside the island’s only reservoir, now holding just one‑sixth of capacity.
Farmers Hit Hardest
Irrigation was cut off in April to save drinking water. Farmer Evdokia Palatianou now relies on brackish well water, watching her crops wither: “Unless it rains, I won’t plant anything.”
The lake supplying water for household use and irrigation in Livadi and to the main tourist town of Chora, the island’s capital, now contains some 150,000 cubic metres, a sixth of its storage capacity. With summer demand at 900 cubic metres daily, reserves would last only five and a half months.
Peak Season Pressure
Populations swell fivefold in high summer, overwhelming local facilities. Temporary desalination plants have been fast‑tracked, while permanent units are planned — though costly and energy‑intensive.
Action and Warnings
Hoteliers are pitching in: one offers €5 vouchers for guests skipping daily cleans, and plans a new property with rainwater storage instead of a pool. Nationally, €15 million has been allocated for island water projects. Scientists warn conditions could worsen sharply by 2049 as temperatures rise.