In efforts to prevent imminent flooding, Greek Climate and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on this week that it was crucial buildings constructed in rivers and streams be demolished.
At the same time, he underlined the need for a new fund that would compensate those whose homes or businesses would be torn down as part of anti-flooding works.
“The climate crisis is here,” Kikilias said, adding that even the most advanced countries have found it difficult to address the force of extreme weather phenomena.
On Wednesday, the Spanish government declared three days of mourning after at least 72 people lost their lives in flash floods in the southeastern region of Valencia.
At the same time, in Greece a fire continues to burn for the fifth consecutive day in the Pangaio mountains, northeastern Greece, near Kavala. The same region was again devasted in August by a blaze that burned for days leaving at least 12,000 hectares in ashes.
Kikilias attributed the fires to lack of rainfall which has led to conditions of drought. Among others, the minister said chaotic construction in the past combined with the slow progress of infrastructure works were also partly to blame for current conditions.
“Houses need to be demolished, streams and rivers cleared and citizens compensated,” he said adding that failings of past governments need to be rectified.
He said it was crucial that regional and municipal authorities carry out systematic and timely cleanings and anti-flooding projects proceed as quickly as possible.
