ATHENS: Greece has put the greater Athens area and two islands on a water emergency footing, to speedupinfrastructure worl(s and address the mounting threat of chronic drought.

The environment ministry late on Friday announced the move, which also covers the Aegean islands of Patmos and Leros, as the capital city`s water reserves have beenfalling by approximately 250 million cubic meters per year since 2022.

A ministry source told state agency ANA the decision `prioritises the implementation of critical infrastructure projects`.

No restrictions on consumer consumption have been announced for the time being.

According to the Athens water supply and sewer-age company (EYDAP), annual rainfall in Greece has decreased by approximately 25 percent in the past three years, evaporation has risen by 15 percent, and consumption is up around six percent.

Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou told Skai TV on Friday that reserves for the greater Athens area are around 400 million cubic metres, with consumption at approximately 250 million cubic metres per year.

`There is no more room to postpone difficult decisions,` the minister said.

`In areas where water consumption increases significantly due to tourism, greater attention and planning are needed to avoid situations in the summer that cannot be dealt with, he added.-AFP