Spain is living one of its most tragic moments as the floods have killed, based on the last count, 158 people. What would happen if a similar extreme phenomenon hit Attica? Would it become a flood embankment?
The NTUA‘s Professor of Architecture, Nikos Belavilas, speaking to Athens 9.84, said that it is only a matter of time before there are floods in Attica and when this happens, a huge urban planning zone of 12 municipalities, from Parnitha to Faliro, will be in danger.
“It’s the first time and that’s the consolation, we’re discussing this issue before the disaster happens. As a rule, the discussion takes place afterwards,” said Mr. Bellavilla. The nightmare scenario is due to the chronic neglect to include Kifissos in the anti-flood projects, as he pointed out.
“Kifissos has been designed in other seasons to deal with other weather conditions. Its size is no longer sufficient to draw the waters of Athens and the hundreds of kilometers of streams,” he pointed out.
“There is no question of wells. The wells are so small and narrow that we see that within 15 minutes of heavy rain, the pipes are gushing water. They are made for the needs of another era from the past. The pipelines cannot withstand the load created by the new weather phenomena,” he said.
What should be done
As estimated by Mr. Bellavillas, the danger is huge “we are defenseless”.
“We have to review the whole strategy of covering the streams and open parallel water channels, so that they go to the sea. If there is no mood for such a discussion, it will unfortunately be done by force, after two or three disasters. As all European capitals open their rivers and streams, this must also be done in Athens,” he stressed.
Mr. Belavilas underlined that today “we know of which 145 are schools and daycare centers” characterizing this specific element as extremely serious.
Among the measures that can be taken immediately, the professor of urban planning of the NTUA underlined that “we should start the dams in the mountains immediately, because if we don’t catch the water and it enters the cities, we can’t do much”.
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