The Greek authorities have declared a state of emergency, effective until January 7, 2026, in the Municipal Community of Psarades in Prespes, located in the Western Macedonia regional unit in northern Greece, due to the severe effects of an ongoing drought.
The decision was made following a relevant request submitted by the Municipality of Prespes to the competent authorities after a dramatic drop in the water level of Lake Prespa was recorded in recent months.
According to the local council’s announcement, the drought has caused serious problems for the police and the Hellenic Agency for Natural Environment and Climate Change, as border policing, civil protection, and the safeguarding of the Prespa National Park, which borders Albania and North Macedonia, have been adversely impacted.
Tourism has also been severely affected. Boat tours to caves, hermitages, and other landmarks have been drastically reduced, as vessels can no longer use the port safely. Professional fishermen and others whose livelihoods depend on the lake face serious difficulties because of restricted access to the water.
The municipality warns that a further drop in water levels during the next hydrological year could render the port completely non-operational. A major storm could also destroy several or all of the piers and breakwaters by pushing them against the exposed lakebed.
Following the decision, urgent works in the region to address the issues caused by the drought can be carried out.
