Evros Floods Ravage Lands — Government Labeled “Incapable” as Waters Submerge Hundreds of Thousands of Acres

In the lowlands of northern Greece’s Evros region, once again the floodwaters have risen alarmingly, submerging vast stretches of farmland and threatening villages. According to local authorities and recent reports, more than 100,000 acres of land are underwater as the River Evros and its tributaries swell after intense rainfall and snowmelt.

Speaking out forcefully in a social-media statement, Socratis Famellos, president of SYRIZA‑Progressive Alliance, condemned the government’s handling of the situation, branding it not merely unlucky but fundamentally incompetent.

According to Famellos, attributing the flooding to “extreme weather events” misses the bigger picture: the failure to plan and build adequate water-management systems, maintain river defenses, and negotiate cross-border water agreements. He argues that these omissions — year after year — have turned heavy rains into disasters.

Flood Devastation: From Fields to Villages

The flooding in Evros has dramatically impacted both agriculture and local communities:

• Flooded farmlands: Vast farming areas, especially in the municipality of Soufli, are submerged, destroying crops and infrastructure.
• Failed river defenses: Critical embankments have failed, exacerbating water overflow into populated areas.
• Tension over settlements: Authorities warn that if additional embankments give way, populated villages may face direct danger.

Local officials have escalated emergency responses, involving regional authorities, the fire brigade, police units, and even army assistance in flood-response efforts.

Farmers in the region speak of lost harvests, damaged irrigation systems, and roads cut off by rising waters.

Political Fallout and Policy Criticism

Famellos’s critique centers on what he describes as the systemic neglect of modern water infrastructure and public planning. In his view:

• A lack of bilateral agreements with neighboring Bulgaria for managing upstream water flows has left the Evros basin vulnerable.
• Public investment in flood protection and water management remains inadequate and outdated.
• The national drought-response plan — designed to address dry seasons and water scarcity — has been dormant for years.

Famellos contrasts the government’s record here with its rhetoric about investment and regional development, saying it amounts to empty communication rather than tangible action.

What Comes Next?

As waters slowly recede in some parts and continue to rise in others, authorities face tough decisions about evacuation, road closures, and long-term resilience measures. Meanwhile:

• Local communities remain on alert for possible renewed flooding.
• Emergency services are working to reinforce embankments where possible.

Whether this crisis will spur substantive policy change — from upgraded water-management infrastructure to stronger regional cooperation — remains to be seen.

Source: pagenews.gr