Eastern Macedonia and Thrace prepares for flood risks ahead of winter season
The Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region is strengthening its operational readiness to address flood risks ahead of the 2026–2027 winter season, with prevention, coordination and early response at the center of its civil protection planning.
The Regional Operational Coordination Body for Civil Protection of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region convened in Gümülcine on Monday, September 7, bringing together regional officials, mayors and municipal representatives, as well as representatives of the Fire Service, Police, Coast Guard, Armed Forces and other relevant agencies.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection, Climate Change Impacts, Infrastructure and Public Works Kostas Venetidis, Deputy Regional Governors Vasiliki Pavlakaki of İskeçe, Manolis Tapatzas of Rhodope and Theodoros Markopoulos of Kavala, and Konstantinos Chouvardas, head of the region’s Civil Protection Directorate.
New technology to improve flood early warning
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Governor Hristodulos Topsidis emphasized that prevention and coordination are essential for effectively managing natural hazards.
Topsidis also outlined measures being implemented by the region to strengthen early warning capabilities through modern technology. These include the installation of telemetry systems at Irish crossings, equipped with sensors that will monitor water levels and automatically activate illuminated no-entry signs when water rises above safe limits.
The collected data will also be available in real time through the regional administration’s online portal.
Further monitoring infrastructure is planned under the Flood Protection II program, which will provide for the installation of two hydrometeorological telemetry stations along the Meriç River.
Meanwhile, the HARMONY program includes plans for an additional telemetry station at the Komara Bridge over the Arda River.
Focus on Meriç and regional flood preparedness
Participants discussed the particularly heightened flood risks facing areas such as Meriç, while emphasizing the need to strengthen prevention measures, inter-agency cooperation and operational planning across the entire region.
Officials also raised issues including inspections of flood protection infrastructure, maintenance of stormwater drainage networks, and the updating of registers of contractors and available machinery.
The meeting further addressed the need to ensure full operational readiness of plans for the organized preventive evacuation of residents in the event of serious threats.
“The resilience of our region is built through continuous effort, expertise and cooperation,” Topsidis said, stressing the importance of prevention, operational preparedness and coordination.
The regional administration said the measures are aimed at further strengthening flood protection and public safety ahead of the 2026–2027 winter season.
