Up to… 14 flood events/year they are expected to hit Thessaloniki in the immediate future, if key interventions are not carried out in the infrastructure of the city, which is directly threatened by the effects of climate change. And if this scenario seems nightmarish, then no one would want to think about what the greenhouse effect can bring about, which threatens to disappear important parts of the coastal zone, since the waters of the Thermaikos Gulf are expected to reach even… Tsimiski street.

Such as explains to GRTimes the Doctor of Meteorology of AUTH, Michalis Siutas, interventions must be carried out, among other things, in the water runoff. “It is important, in addition, to better clean the wells so that the rainwater can find a way out and of course, it would be extremely wise to give early warnings from the Civil Protection mechanisms”, in order to naturally strengthen the part of prevention, as he adds the professor.

The new climate reality may bring about 5-8 flooding episodes in Thessaloniki up to 2033, as the rainfall phenomena are expected to be intense and severe. The above was emphasized by Mr. Siutas, in his speech at the event of the Technical Chamber of Greece for the World Environment Day on the topic: “Climate Change – Effects on the Coastal Zone – Anti-flood shielding of Thessaloniki”. However, the professor emphasized that the specific numbers are only the average.

“It is possible that in one year the flood phenomena will be limited to 3, while in another they will even reach… 14”, he emphasizes, explaining that all this can happen if climate change continues to move at the same pace. In this context, Mr. Siutas emphasizes that “what is decided in the studies of the scientists, should be taken seriously by the persons of the State”.

The parts of Thessaloniki that will… drown and the fear of water up to Tsimiski

The constant value of the climate is calculated every 30 years. According to Mr. Ciuta, the average value of the rise in temperature on earth should – in the worst case scenario – reach half a degree Celsius every 30 years. However, the corresponding price is at least double. “An effort must be made so that in the coming years, the rise in temperature does not exceed 1.5 degrees,” the professor emphasizes.

Otherwise, various places on the planet, such as Greece and, of course, Thessaloniki, are directly threatened by the rising water level, which cannot be excluded from destroying everything in its path, up to Tsimiski Street.

“Points of the coastal zone in Peraia, in the Delta of Axios, but also on the beach of Thessaloniki, are at risk of submersion”, informs Mr. Sioutas, who does not hide that in the event that the average temperature rises above two degrees Celsius in in the next few years, then in 2050, central parts of Niki Avenue and Aristotelous Avenue are likely to be covered with water. In fact, according to the professor, “in such a dangerous scenario, the water can reach as far as… Tsimiski!”.

How can something like this be prevented and what is the role of scientific studies

Distinguished scientists closely study the greenhouse effect and the data is constantly changing. As Mr. Siutas says, “two years ago, researchers were talking about 50,000 thousand deaths in 2022, due to climate change. Fortunately, the numbers were not confirmed and the deaths reached 20,000.

However, studies are constantly being conducted and published. Therefore, depending on their findings, the experts warn the State in order to take the measures that could prevent such incidents.

In this context, the professor clarifies that specific interventions, such as the installation of a dam, could prevent the submergence of parts of Thessaloniki.

However, the forecasting models change and as the professor emphasizes, “our movements depend directly on the data of the studies”.

We note that, approximately 2.5 years ago, the non-profit organization, Climate Centralcreated… images from the future, wanting to show what major cities will look like if the global temperature rises by 3 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

The image of Thessaloniki, according to Climate Central, is heartbreaking:

At the same time, governments of other countries are spending huge sums to fight the greenhouse effect, while various studies report that climate change will exacerbate humanitarian crises in 2023.

New Zealand, has already announced that it will spend 1.75 billion euros to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the next four years, as part of the country’s commitment to zero emissions by 2050.

Main photo source: Climate Central