The damage to homes, infrastructure and roads caused by severe weather across several parts of Crete could have been limited if flood protection projects planned after previous disasters had been implemented, according to Kathimerini.
In Rethymno, 11 studies have been in progress since 2019, while flood protection projects have also been planned but not implemented in Kastelli, Gouves, Agia Pelagia and Mylopotamos.
The reasons include a lack of funding, delays in completing the studies and property ownership issues.
In Agia Pelagia, the studies have been completed, but even if funding is secured, the streams are privately owned and the land must first be expropriated.
In Agia Pelagia, heavy rainfall turned roads into torrents in October 2022, killing two people who became trapped in their car. Following the disaster, plans were drawn up to build check dams in the streams as a flood protection measure. Although the studies have been completed, the streams are privately owned, meaning the land must be expropriated before work can proceed even if funding is secured.
In Kastelli, where the new airport is being built, a flood protection study for the area surrounding the airport has been in place since 2021. In January 2026, Minoa Pediada mayor Vassilis Kegeroglou confirmed in Parliament that the projects had not been carried out.
Source:Kathimerini
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