Attica Region Advances Climate Change Defense with €1.2 Billion Flood Prevention Initiative

Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias. Photo source: Attica Region

The Region of Attica, encompassing Athens and its surrounding areas, unveiled a robust plan to address climate change and its associated natural disasters, with 158 flood prevention projects totaling 1.2 billion euros.

Announced by Governor Nikos Hardalias on Friday, the initiative emphasizes proactive measures and crisis management to safeguard the region.

According to the governor, several projects are already underway in Attica. The plan also includes public education campaigns to prepare citizens for medium- and high-risk natural phenomena.

Anti-flood projects in motion

Of the 158 projects, 54 with a combined budget of 447.4 million euros are set to begin within the first half of 2025 and are expected to be completed before the end of Hardalias’ current term. Additionally, the regional authority, in collaboration with relevant ministries, is working to secure funding for 104 more projects, aiming to launch them by 2028.

Cleaning streams, rivers, and torrents

Cleaning of Kifissos River. Photo source: Attica Region

Hardalias highlighted the ongoing cleanup of major streams and torrents across Attica, a critical component of the flood prevention strategy. Notably, efforts are focused on restoring sections of the Kifissos River, which flows underground through parts of Athens. Cleanup operations have already removed 12.5 tons of debris, including cement, garbage, and stones, from the riverbanks since August.

Similar work is being conducted on Podoniftis, a stream prone to flooding during heavy rains, with plans to extend these efforts to the Ilissos River in early 2025.

The governor also announced progress on a long-stalled rainwater collection project in Nea Philadelphia – Nea Chalkidona. After being stuck in bureaucracy for 25 years, the project is now on track to become operational by August 2025.

Comprehensive responsibilities

The Region of Attica manages 454 streams spanning 879 kilometers, with 601 kilometers classified as high-risk zones. Additionally, it oversees the maintenance of 37,218 drains. While 52 million euros has been secured for initial drain cleaning, an estimated 48 million euros annually is needed for complete and ongoing maintenance.

In his announcement, Hardalias called for a metropolitan model of disaster prevention and management, emphasizing the urgency of current challenges.

“The overall protection of Attica is not a matter of the future but of the present. It must be tackled with a sense of urgency and calmness,” he concluded.