Rhodope faces drying rivers and lakes amid prolonged drought
Rhodopi is experiencing worsening drought conditions, with rivers and lakes rapidly drying up due to extended rainfall shortages. Nature photographer Stelios Ispikoudis shared images on Facebook highlighting the dramatic changes over recent years.
Comparative photos of the Kompsatos River show a stark difference between September 2018 and September 2025. Similarly, Lake Ismarida is undergoing visible desertification, with photos from September 2020 and September 2025 illustrating the decline in water levels. Local authorities in Rhodopi are prioritizing surface water retention projects to address the crisis.
The Meriç River, Greece’s largest river by volume, has also reached historically low levels. For the first time, parts of the river can be crossed on foot. Experts attribute the situation to water retention by dams in Bulgaria, ongoing drought there, and water diversion in Türkiye from the Ergene tributary for rice cultivation. Saltwater intrusion in the Evros Delta is leaving wildlife, including wild horses, without access to freshwater.
Global Climate Alarm
Meanwhile, approximately 200 leading scientists have issued a dramatic warning to world leaders about the urgent risks posed by climate change. They called for immediate measures to prevent global temperatures from rising more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—a threshold that could trigger multiple critical climate “tipping points,” endangering billions of people. The statement was released ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Conference in Belém, Brazil, this November.
