Greece is “drying out”: Drought intensifies across the country – Eastern Macedonia and Thrace among the worst-hit
Drought conditions are worsening across Greece, with the latest analysis from the METEO unit of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) painting a concerning picture. Much of the country, including Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, is now facing various levels of drought, ranging from moderate to extreme.
According to the drought index assessment, large parts of Crete, the Peloponnese, Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and Lesvos are currently experiencing severe or extreme drought (classified as levels 4 and 5). Only limited areas in Macedonia, Thessaly, and Central Greece remain relatively unaffected.
Meanwhile, moderate to significant drought conditions (levels 2 and 3) are recorded in several regions, including Attica, Eğriboz, Western Central Greece, Epirus, and various Aegean islands.
The drought index is based on soil moisture levels between 28 and 100 centimeters below the surface—a critical depth for agricultural productivity. The data is derived from the European Union’s Copernicus service, using historical records from 1991 to 2020 to measure deviations from seasonal norms.
Following exceptionally high temperatures and low rainfall in July, almost the entire country is facing drier-than-average conditions compared to early July.
The Standardized Soil Moisture Index (SSMI) categorizes drought severity into five levels:
Even if the soil is not visibly dry, a notably low soil moisture level for the time of year can indicate serious drought impacts, especially for crops and ecosystems.
It’s important to note that soil moisture values are estimates generated by the ERA5-Land model, due to a lack of on-site measurements. These may vary slightly from actual ground conditions but provide a reliable overview of current trends.
Source: Paratiritis News
