The president of OASP, Professor of Natural Disasters, Efthimios Lekkas, the seismic activity observed in the country in the country is quite normal and expected. “These earthquakes are in no way related to each other,” he says.

Speaking about the situation in the Attica environment, Mr. Lekkas stresses that in the last 20 years there has been a loss of about 70% of the forest areas, that is, a huge percentage that directly affects the capital’s lung and at the same time increases the flood risk.

As he notes, the effective protection of forests is ensured through a combination of actions. These actions are: Frequent surveillance with manned crews and using new technology, DEDDIE networks, checking the application of the law on the cleaning of privately owned plots of at least neighboring forest areas, organized and immediate intervention and immediate operation of Population awareness.

The entire interview of OASP President and Professor of Natural Disaster Efthimios Lekka in RES-EIA:

Q: Lately we have noticed a relative rise of seismic activity in the southern Aegean in Euboea and Crete. Also on Mount Athos. Some colleagues told you that we have earthquake activation over six Richter after a long time? Should we worry, Mr. Professors?

A: The seismic activity that we have observed in the last few months in many different parts of the country are Absolutely normal and expected basis of the geotectonic potential of the wider area where Greece is located. We must emphasize that they Earthquakes are in no way related to each other and relate to tectonic activity independent of their cracks. Statistically, in our country we expect one with two earthquakes over 6 on the R scale, each about 1.5 years. This frequency concerns an average, therefore, this seismic activity fully justifies the “inactivity” that preceded the 2-3 previous years.

Q: You recently stated that Attica is broadcasting SOS due to the destruction of the natural environment by fires and floods. What is the situation?

A: Reality can be perceived through the numbers. In the last 20 years in Attica, there has been about 70% loss of forests, a huge percentage that directly affects both the capital’s lung but at the same time increases the flood risk.

Q: How can the remaining few forests in Attica be effectively protected this summer?

A: Effective protection is ensured through a combination of actions. These actions are: Frequent surveillance with manned crews and using new technology, DEDDIE networks controls, control of the application of the law on the cleaning of privately owned plots of at least neighboring forest areas, organized and immediate intervention and immediate intervention and firefighters Population awareness.

Q: As president of the Anti -Seismic Planning and Protection Organization and a prominent professor of natural disasters you participate in almost all emergency committees in the country. How effective is the coordination of state services in relation to the past and what needs to be done? What did you get from the case of Santorini?

A: Significant steps have been taken in terms of organization and cooperation between stakeholders in the prevention and management of disaster and crisis. Some of these most important steps were the activation of the emergency number “112” but also to organize and implement the largest “MINOA” field of operation to deal with earthquake and accompanying phenomena in Crete in 2024 and which literally participated in the whole island. We hope soon to organize similar exercises in other parts of the country, such as exercises for other physical or technological risks. It is very important and it must be immediately understood that through such exercises, problems and deficiencies of the management system come to the surface, giving us the opportunity to deal with them before the critical moment. The truth is that we have a long way to go ahead of us, and that is all about everyone, from the state to the change of mentality of the citizen.

The ongoing seismic activity in Santorini It was one of the most recent phenomena and was an excellent opportunity to test the new way of coordinating emergencies. I can say that there was The management process is quite successful at all levels. The uniqueness of the phenomenon results from its complexity, as at the same time we had a strong seismicity with up to 1000 earthquakes per day, volcanic process, wicked action, territorial changes, landslide phenomena and more. The scientific committees consisting of leading Greek scientists from almost all the country’s academic and research centers, watched and analyzed the phenomenon daily, proposing to state agencies the appropriate actions, which changed from day to day. I believe that the example of managing the seismic crisis of Santorini should be a guide to any natural danger in the country, and the basis for an ever -evolving danger.