At the end of 45 years, this submerged village re-emerges in Greece

A village submerged by water has resurfaced in Greece. The ruins of Kallio, flooded in 1979 to create Lake Mornos, are once again visible. The village was sacrificed to provide water for Athens, but climate change now threatens this vital resource.


Due to successive heatwaves, the water level of Lake Mornos has dropped by 30% in recent months. Houses, a school, and a church, once submerged, are resurfacing. Drone footage has captured this unexpected return. According to data from Eydap, the regional water utility, the 131-foot (40 meters) drop in the lake's water level is alarming. Local resident Yorgos Iosifidis gazes upon the remains of his family home, along with those of his cousins, with a sense of resigned sadness.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urges the population to reduce water consumption in light of this critical situation. He advocates for stricter water resource management, reminding people that "we will have less water in the future." Simultaneously, the residents of Attica, the region surrounding Athens, are encouraged to adopt more water-saving behaviors. Awareness campaigns in the media and on social networks are urging people to limit water waste.

Local authorities have also implemented strategies to activate additional water sources in order to bolster the region's water supply network. This measure aims to offset temporary shortages caused by the declining reservoir levels.

However, the situation remains concerning, as Greece continues to use a very high percentage of its available water—85%—for agricultural irrigation. This intensive use for farming highlights the need for more drastic measures and a reevaluation of priorities regarding water resource management.


Kallio's reappearance brings to mind a similar phenomenon that occurred in the early 1990s. The likelihood of the village emerging more often underscores the urgency to take action against climate change.