The Ministry of Environment and Energy issued a detailed announcement on “the actual data for the revision of the 2018 Flood Risk Management Plans”. According to his statement MINISTRY OF:

“The first Flood Risk Management Plans, in application of Directive 2007/60, were completed in July 2018, with a delay of 2.5 years, in relation to the stipulated deadline of the Directive (22/12/2015).

These Plans are reviewed every 6 years, with the aim of updating them, based on the most recent scientific methods and data, including the latest hydrometeorological data, such as e.g. rainfall levels per area, any recent floods, etc., taking into account the effects of climate change.’

As underlined by the Ministry, in relation to the revision of the Plans, in accordance with the prescribed schedule of Directive 2007/60, the first preparatory action was the issuance of the invitation by the Special Management Service of YMEPERAA to the Ministry of the Interior for the “1st Review of Management Plans Flood Risks of River Basins of the 14 Water Divisions of the country”, on 3/6/2019, one month before the elections of July 2019. Unfortunately, the relevant invitation provided for the updating of the Plans, based on hydrometeorological data, which at best they reached up to 2013. Which was unproven, since the climate crisis requires the most recent data to be used (revised maps now being prepared have data up to 2022, including Janus).

And he points out: The submission of the Technical Report by the Ministry of the Interior was made on 11/12/2019. The decision to include the act by YMEPERAA was made on 7/14/2020. On 5/13/2021, the tender was approved. In the period February – April 2022, the verification of the supporting documents of the temporary Contractors was completed, followed by the contractualization of the studies in the period 24-30/8/2022, with a contractual implementation period of 2 years.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, shortening the time required to complete the project was not possible, due to the improvement of the digital analysis of the topographical data of the soil and the required updating of the rainfall curves, which are the necessary background for the correct assessment of the flood risk zones, combined with the public consultation time required.

Finally, from the Ministry of the Interior, it is noted that all the relevant clarifications have been given to the European Commission, as the completion of the updated Flood Risk Maps and the updated Flood Risk Maps is expected by 30/11/2023 and the completion of the Flood Risk Management Plans for the Potentially High Flood Risk Zones by 15/7/2024, within six years of the publication of the initial maps made in July 2018.