Despite the torrential rains brought by Storm Adel, Athens and the wider Attica region remain in the grip of severe drought. While the storms have created dramatic floods and disruptions, experts warn that short, intense bursts of rainfall do little to restore water reserves.

The main reason is the speed and intensity of the rain. When water falls heavily over a few hours, the soil cannot absorb it effectively. Much of the rainfall runs off into streams and rivers, eventually reaching the sea, rather than replenishing underground aquifers or filling reservoirs.

Why Reservoirs Remain Low

The problem is compounded by a prolonged dry period that has left the soil parched. The top layers of soil absorb only a small fraction of heavy rain, preventing significant replenishment of water systems. As a result, even dramatic storms fail to improve the overall water shortage.

Experts emphasize that what truly helps mitigate drought is steady, light-to-moderate rainfall over many hours or days. This allows water to seep into deeper soil layers, gradually recharging underground reserves and enabling reservoirs and natural drainage systems to retain water efficiently.