HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

During the period of 12 January and February 2021, the rivers
Erythropotamos The Erythropotamos ( el, Ερυθροπόταμος, meaning "red river") or Luda reka ( bg, Луда река, meaning "mad river") is a river in southern Bulgaria (Haskovo Province) and northeastern Greece ( Evros regional unit). Its Turkish na ...
and Evros (
Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
: Έβρος) also known as Maritsa (
Bulgarian Bulgarian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Bulgaria * Bulgarians, a South Slavic ethnic group * Bulgarian language, a Slavic language * Bulgarian alphabet * A citizen of Bulgaria, see Demographics of Bulgaria * Bul ...
: Марица, Turkish: Meriç) overflowed twice because of heavy rainstorms resulting in severe floods of the areas around the rivers, that led to 1 death and serious damages to private and public property. The floods were described by the media and residents as "one of the biggest disasters the area has ever faced". Residents of the area were forced to abandon their cars and homes because of the rising, powerful floodwaters. The residents of the southern area of the village Polia were forced to evacuate because of a broken embankment in the area, and were taken by a bus to a hotel in
Didymoteicho Didymoteicho ( el, Διδυμότειχο, Didymóteicho ) is a city located on the eastern edge of the Evros regional unit of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, in northeastern Greece. It is the seat of the municipality of the same name. The town ...
temporarily, to prevent injuries and deaths.


Weather events

In early January, right after the
Epiphany Epiphany may refer to: * Epiphany (feeling), an experience of sudden and striking insight Religion * Epiphany (holiday), a Christian holiday celebrating the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ ** Epiphany season, or Epiph ...
, it started raining for days. Not all areas were affected. In January 10 though, a large area of
Thrace Thrace (; el, Θράκη, Thráki; bg, Тракия, Trakiya; tr, Trakya) or Thrake is a geographical and historical region in Southeast Europe, now split among Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey, which is bounded by the Balkan Mountains to t ...
was affected by heavy and long rainfall. Τhe village of
Mikro Dereio Mikro Dereio ( el, Μικρό Δέρειο) is a village and a community in the central part of the Evros regional unit in Greece. It is situated on the left bank of the river Erythropotamos, in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. The border with Bul ...
and the rivers starting to overflow on 12 January. The city of
Alexandroupoli Alexandroupolis ( el, Αλεξανδρούπολη, ), Alexandroupoli, or Alexandrople is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Western Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It h ...
had a precipitation of 408mm while the village of
Metaxades Metaxades ( el, Μεταξάδες, ) is a large village and a former municipality in the Evros regional unit, East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Didymoteicho, of which it is a ...
had a precipitation of 203mm in January 2021. After the rainfall the temperature remained below freezing, causing some of the flooded areas not to dry. With the temperatures being cold for days, a heavy snowstorm started in the area. A few days later, after the snow started to melt, a new heavy rainfall started in the region of Evros on 1 February 2021, triggering aggravated floods in the areas of
Soufli Soufli ( el, Σουφλί) is a town in the Evros regional unit, Greece, notable for the silk industry that flourished there in the 19th century. The town stands on the eastern slope of the twin hill of Prophet Elias, one of the easternmost spurs ...
and
Alexandroupoli Alexandroupolis ( el, Αλεξανδρούπολη, ), Alexandroupoli, or Alexandrople is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Western Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It h ...
.


Timeline of events on 12 January

In the morning hours of 12 January 2021, the village of
Mikro Dereio Mikro Dereio ( el, Μικρό Δέρειο) is a village and a community in the central part of the Evros regional unit in Greece. It is situated on the left bank of the river Erythropotamos, in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. The border with Bul ...
was flooded and evacuated. Many houses including the central square of the village were flooded and local authorities were present in the area for hours. Residents managed to get inside the village church to save themselves. Schools in
Mikro Dereio Mikro Dereio ( el, Μικρό Δέρειο) is a village and a community in the central part of the Evros regional unit in Greece. It is situated on the left bank of the river Erythropotamos, in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. The border with Bul ...
were closed on the spot. At the same time, an iron bridge was destroyed by the water pressure in the village Loutra near
Alexandroupoli Alexandroupolis ( el, Αλεξανδρούπολη, ), Alexandroupoli, or Alexandrople is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Western Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It h ...
. The bridge used to connect the two sides of the village. Warning signs were placed by the authorities of the Municipality of Alexandroupoli. Few hours later,
Bulgaria Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedon ...
opened up the Ivaylovgrad Dam, releasing large amounts of water in the
Evros river Maritsa or Maritza ( bg, Марица ), also known as Meriç ( tr, Meriç ) and Evros ( ell, Έβρος ), is a river that runs through the Balkans in Southeast Europe. With a length of ,the river of Erythropotamos started exceeding the expected levels and reached the top of the embankment around the river. In the meantime, the fields around
Metaxades Metaxades ( el, Μεταξάδες, ) is a large village and a former municipality in the Evros regional unit, East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Didymoteicho, of which it is a ...
started to flood. Around 15:00, a bus carrying passengers from
Alexandroupoli Alexandroupolis ( el, Αλεξανδρούπολη, ), Alexandroupoli, or Alexandrople is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Western Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It h ...
to
Orestiada Orestiada ( el, Ορεστιάδα, formerly , ''Nea Orestiás''), is the northeasternmost, northernmost and newest city of Greece and the second largest town of the Evros regional unit of Thrace. Founded by Greek refugees from Edirne after the ...
was trapped at the Feres agency, unable to go anywhere because of all the roads being blocked due to floods. Teachers that worked in
Alexandroupoli Alexandroupolis ( el, Αλεξανδρούπολη, ), Alexandroupoli, or Alexandrople is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Western Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It h ...
were unable to return to their home, and that resulted in them staying in Feres and
Tychero Tycheró ( el, Τυχερό, ) is a town and a former municipality in the Evros regional unit, East Macedonia and Thrace, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Soufli, of which it is a municipal unit. The mu ...
all day. Around 16:00,
Erythropotamos The Erythropotamos ( el, Ερυθροπόταμος, meaning "red river") or Luda reka ( bg, Луда река, meaning "mad river") is a river in southern Bulgaria (Haskovo Province) and northeastern Greece ( Evros regional unit). Its Turkish na ...
overflowed and embankments broke, causing severe damage to fields and properties around the area of many villages of the Didymoteicho municipality. A few minutes later, the General Regional Police Directorate of Eastern Macedonia & Thrace announced the cessation of traffic on the National Road Ardaniou - Ormeniou (A21), from the settlement of Provatona to the District of Dadia. Around 17:00, the village of
Poros Poros ( el, Πόρος) is a small Greece, Greek island-pair in the southern part of the Saronic Gulf, about south from the port of Piraeus and separated from the Peloponnese by a wide sea channel, with the town of Galatas, Troizina, Galatas on ...
was evacuated because of the overflow of the stream "Tsai" which led to the decision by the mayor of
Alexandroupoli Alexandroupolis ( el, Αλεξανδρούπολη, ), Alexandroupoli, or Alexandrople is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Western Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It h ...
, Giannis Zampoukis. Around 19:00, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that in the next few hours an increase in the water level of the rivers
Arda Arda or ARDA may refer to: Places *Arda (Maritsa), a river in Bulgaria and Greece * Arda (Italy), a river in Italy *Arda (Douro), a river in Portugal * Arda, Bulgaria, a village in southern Bulgaria * Arda, County Fermanagh, a townland in County ...
and
Erythropotamos The Erythropotamos ( el, Ερυθροπόταμος, meaning "red river") or Luda reka ( bg, Луда река, meaning "mad river") is a river in southern Bulgaria (Haskovo Province) and northeastern Greece ( Evros regional unit). Its Turkish na ...
is expected following the gradual and controlled release of water from the Ivaylovgrad Dam. A few minutes later, The Police Department of
Alexandroupoli Alexandroupolis ( el, Αλεξανδρούπολη, ), Alexandroupoli, or Alexandrople is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Western Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It h ...
decided to temporarily stop the traffic. Around 20:30, the river level of
Erythropotamos The Erythropotamos ( el, Ερυθροπόταμος, meaning "red river") or Luda reka ( bg, Луда река, meaning "mad river") is a river in southern Bulgaria (Haskovo Province) and northeastern Greece ( Evros regional unit). Its Turkish na ...
has exceeded the vigilance limit and has reached 5.81 meters with an alarm limit of 7 meters. At this time, many villages in the area of
Erythropotamos The Erythropotamos ( el, Ερυθροπόταμος, meaning "red river") or Luda reka ( bg, Луда река, meaning "mad river") is a river in southern Bulgaria (Haskovo Province) and northeastern Greece ( Evros regional unit). Its Turkish na ...
flooded with severe damages in buildings and fields from powerful water pressure. The aqueduct in the area of Alepochori went underwater and this led to the water being cut off for Alepochori and Polia. Other villages experienced the same water issue but it wasn't critical damage. In the meantime, the residents of the southern area of the village Polia were forced to evacuate their houses because of a broken embankment in the area, allowing floods to speed up, and were taken by a bus to a hotel in
Didymoteicho Didymoteicho ( el, Διδυμότειχο, Didymóteicho ) is a city located on the eastern edge of the Evros regional unit of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, in northeastern Greece. It is the seat of the municipality of the same name. The town ...
temporarily, to prevent injuries and deaths. Around 23:00, the road between the villages Polia and
Avdella Avdella ( el, Αβδέλλα; rup, Avdhela) is a village and a former Communities and Municipalities of Greece, municipality in Grevena (regional unit), Grevena regional unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it ha ...
was cut in half due to water pressure. Under that road were optical fibers for internet and telephones, which were cut apart. That led to telecommunications being unavailable in Alepochori.


Timeline of events on 1 February

From the early hours of 1 February 2021, heavy rainfall started to hit the region of Evros. Because of a previous snowstorm, snow was melting all over the region. The snow melting in combination with the heavy rainfall caused new serious floods in many areas. Around 10:30, military vehicles and vehicles of the municipality of Alexandroupoli went to the settlement of Apalos in order to transport the children of the Kindergarten, where the power cut off and the ground floor started to flood, to the church of the village so that the parents could pick them up. At the same time, the municipality of Alexandroupoli announced the suspension of the operation of all school units in Apalos. The settlements of
Antheia Antheia ( grc, Ἀνθεία) was one of the Charites, or Graces, of Greek mythology and was the goddess of swamps and flowery wreaths. She is the daughter of Zeus and Eurynome. She was depicted in Athenian vase painting as one of the attendant ...
and Maistros face serious problems as the water level is constantly rising. Around 11:00, streets in
Soufli Soufli ( el, Σουφλί) is a town in the Evros regional unit, Greece, notable for the silk industry that flourished there in the 19th century. The town stands on the eastern slope of the twin hill of Prophet Elias, one of the easternmost spurs ...
and Agnantia flooded and the authorities was present in areas needing help. Around 12:00, in High School of Antheia, students and teachers were trapped inside. Also, traffic was stopped on the National Road Ardaniou - Ormeniou (A21), from the village Thymaria to Provatonas. Around 13:00, students were trapped in the school of Apalos, and for this reason a rescue operation was set up by the fire brigade. During the operation, however, the 46-year-old Chief Firefighter Zafeiropoulos Ioannis, driver of a fire truck that participated in the efforts and "stuck" in the rainwater, as he was walking away, was swept away by the rushing waters and was found dead near the airport streams. Two other colleagues were in the vehicle, who managed to get out safely. His death caused pan-Hellenic shock and mourning. Around 16:00, the national road and many streets were flooded. Many fields were destroyed and some houses were damaged. Later that day, announcements from the mayor of
Alexandroupoli Alexandroupolis ( el, Αλεξανδρούπολη, ), Alexandroupoli, or Alexandrople is a city in Greece and the capital of the Evros regional unit. It is the largest city in Western Thrace and the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. It h ...
were made about the suspension of schools in Apalos and
Antheia Antheia ( grc, Ἀνθεία) was one of the Charites, or Graces, of Greek mythology and was the goddess of swamps and flowery wreaths. She is the daughter of Zeus and Eurynome. She was depicted in Athenian vase painting as one of the attendant ...
due to dangers and due to damages on buildings.


Aftermath

The two big floods led to serious damages in villages and fields. Walls of warehouses and garages were completely torn down by the force of the water. Houses were flooded inside and destroyed furniture and personal items of residents. Many farmers had significant loss due to field and agricultural vehicle damage. Some areas of the embankments in Alepochori and Polia were broken, leaving the area vulnerable for future floods. The broken embankments also restrict farmers and residents from visiting specific areas because of destroyed paths. Some machines in the aqueducts were damaged due to being under water during the floods, which led to the water being cut off for about a week. As a result, the inhabitants of some settlements were forced to carry buckets of water from water sources in the wider area of their places of residence. A few days later, in consultation with the authorities, the mayors and the presidents of the cities and settlements, bottles of water were sent to each resident. Some roads were destroyed, which have led to major traffic inconveniences. Under the road that collapsed in
Avdella Avdella ( el, Αβδέλλα; rup, Avdhela) is a village and a former Communities and Municipalities of Greece, municipality in Grevena (regional unit), Grevena regional unit, West Macedonia, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform, it ha ...
, there were optical fibers which were responsible for the internet connection and for the interconnection of the landlines in the villages of Alepochori and Polia. This led to severe optical fiber damage that took about two months to repair, leaving children unable to attend e-learning (which was mandatory of a general
COVID-19 lockdown Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of non-pharmaceutical interventions colloquially known as lockdowns (encompassing stay-at-home orders, curfews, quarantines, and similar societal restrictions) have been implemented in numerous countrie ...
that was going on since November) for weeks until a solution was to be found. The most tragic event of the floods is the death of the 46-year-old firefighter Ioannis Zafeiropoulos, who was the father of three children and participated in an operation to free students from school due to the floods. He gave up his last breath, in his attempt to free students in a school in the area of Apalos.


References

{{2021 floods Floods in Greece Floods in Turkey E E 2021 floods in Europe E E E