Last year, extreme rainfall led to catastrophic flooding in the Thessaly plain, one of Greece’s vital agricultural hubs. Farmers like Babis Evangelinos found their livelihoods submerged in just a few days of relentless rain.
Evangelinos, navigating a small motorboat, surveys the aftermath from Lake Karla. His once fruitful almond trees and expansive cotton fields are now underwater, a stark testament to the flood's devastating impact. \"I could never have imagined I would have to board a boat to get to see my land,\" he shared, drifting past the sodden remnants of his hard work. \"Work of a lifetime ruined, gone in three, four days of rain.\"
Five months later, the Thessaly region remains grappling with the aftermath. Vast expanses of once productive land are still underwater, and essential equipment lies stranded in shallow waters. Efforts to manage the flooding have been hampered by infrastructure challenges, including a malfunctioning pumping station now isolated in the lake.
The environmental repercussions extend beyond agriculture. Wildlife, such as pelicans and herons, have started to reclaim the area, soaring above the transformed landscape where dry fields once stood. This unexpected resurgence of nature highlights the delicate balance between human activity and the natural world.
The Thessaly floods underscore the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and sustainable farming practices in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. As Europe confronts similar challenges, the experiences of farmers like Evangelinos serve as a critical reminder of the real-world impacts of extreme weather events.
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Flooded Greek lake an alarm to European farmers battling extreme weather
cgtn.com
