Southwestern Peloponnese experiencing water shortages

Authorities in Kalamata, the capital of Messinia in the southwestern Peloponnese, appealed to residents and visitors on Wednesday to be frugal with their use of water, after shortages were noted across the region.

According to state broadcaster ERT, increased demand resulting from high visitor numbers in the popular seaside area over the long holiday weekend, but also as summer kicks into high gear, have put a strain on resources. Some homes, it added, particularly in the Mani area, which is served by Kalamata, have been getting just a trickle or no water at all, on and off, over the past few days.

The municipal authority reportedly also had to augment the reservoir at Kitries, on the western coast of the region, with water transported in trucks.

Shortages are also being noted inside the city of Kalamata, and especially in the district of Plaka.

Experts and environmental protection groups have been sounding the alarm for months, warning that following a year of high temperatures and low rainfall, Greece is staring at the possibility of drought if measures to contain water use and waste are not implemented at once.