Athens, April 11, 2026 – The water crisis that loomed over Athens in autumn 2025 has significantly receded, thanks to a dramatic increase in the Mornos reservoir’s reserves. Within approximately six months, the reservoir’s water volume has nearly tripled, transforming the landscape and re-submerging the village of Kallio.
Mornos Reserves Soar After Record Rainfall
On October 10, 2025, Mornos’ reserves had plummeted to 167,786,000 cubic meters. As of April 8, 2026, those reserves stood at 491,629,000 cubic meters, marking a nearly threefold increase. This significant recovery is primarily attributed to record rainfall in the first quarter of the year.
Kostas Lagouvardos, meteorologist and Research Director at the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), stated, “The latest high-resolution satellite imagery from fifteen days ago shows the surface area of Lake Mornos at approximately 14 square kilometers, which is about 20% below the seasonal norm. We are clearly in a much better position than we were last autumn, though still slightly below average.”
Lagouvardos further elaborated on the impressive precipitation levels, noting that both NOA stations in the Mornos basin recorded their highest rainfall for the first three months of the year in the last decade. While snow cover was below average in March, recent weather fronts have brought levels back to near-normal conditions.
No Room for Complacency Despite Improvement
Despite the substantial increase in water volume, officials and experts caution against complacency. Lagouvardos emphasized that while the immediate crisis from last autumn has passed, vigilance is still required.
“We must not become complacent. We are entering the dry season of spring and summer, where evaporation increases with rising temperatures and consumption naturally peaks,” he warned, referring to official data from the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP).
The recovery of the Mornos reservoir is a crucial development for Athens, a city that has faced increasing concerns about water scarcity. The recent events highlight the critical role of natural weather patterns and the need for ongoing water management strategies to ensure long-term water sufficiency for the Greek capital.
The emergency alarms triggered for the Mornos in autumn 2025 underscored the vulnerability of Athens’ water supply. The rapid turnaround in just six months demonstrates the resilience of natural systems when aided by favorable weather conditions, but also serves as a reminder of the continuous need for careful monitoring and responsible water usage.
The re-submergence of the village of Kallio, once exposed by dwindling water levels, symbolizes the extent of the reservoir’s recovery and the return to a more stable water supply situation for the region.
Source: https://greekreporter.com/2026/04/10/athens-water-crisis-recedes-mornos-reserves-triple/
