- The Agios Georgios reservoir on the Lasithi Plateau has overflowed after years of waiting, thanks to recent heavy rains.
- Over 6 million cubic metres of water have already collected in the Aposelemis Dam, with forecasts suggesting it will exceed 8 million cubic metres.
- No special water supply problems are expected for the Heraklion municipality in the summer of 2026 due to drought.
- The emergency drought declaration request has been quietly shelved.
After last year’s rather stressful water shortages that had everyone nervously checking taps and pools, Crete has received some genuinely welcome news: the heavens have finally delivered.
The reservoir at Agios Georgios on the Lasithi Plateau has overflowed following intense rainfall that swept across the island and the plateau in recent days. This marks the first overflow in years and comes shortly after the reservoir’s full restoration in February 2025, funded with €213,000 and completed through cooperation between the Municipality of Oropedio Lasithiou, the Crete Development Organisation, and the First Vice-President of the Greek Parliament, Ioannis Plakiotakis.
Aposelemis Dam Also Getting a Much-Needed Drink
The good tidings continue at the critical Aposelemis Dam, which supplies much of the Heraklion area. Recent rains have already brought in more than 6 million cubic metres of water, and estimates from the Crete Development Organisation suggest the total will soon surpass 8 million cubic metres.
As a result, the Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Company of Heraklion (DEYAH) has announced that no special drought-related water supply issues are expected for the Municipality of Heraklion in 2026. The previous application to declare the area a state of emergency due to water scarcity is therefore unnecessary.
Still Working on Long-Term Solutions
Local authorities are not popping the champagne just yet. The Municipality of Heraklion and DEYAH continue intensive efforts on their strategic water management plan. Realistic proposals include drilling new boreholes, replacing the main pipelines from the Malia and Tylissos fields, and better utilising the Almyros water system.
The goal remains a systematic, no-more-delays approach to the island’s overall water problem, with calls for the central government to clearly define responsibilities for planning and implementing the necessary infrastructure projects.
For travellers planning a Cretan summer in 2026, this is the kind of update everyone wanted to hear: showers with actual pressure, pools that stay full, and hotels that won’t need to ration water. After last year’s tense moments, these rains bring a much-needed sigh of relief, and a reminder that Crete’s natural beauty (and tourism season) depends heavily on those winter clouds finally doing their job.
