In a remarkable turn of events, the remnants of a Greek village that had been submerged for decades have re-emerged as receding water levels in a major reservoir exposed the long-lost village of Kallio. The village, located in southern Greece, was evacuated more than 40 years ago to make way for the construction of the Mornos dam, which currently supplies water to the capital city of Athens.

The recent drought conditions in the region have caused the water levels in the reservoir to drop dramatically, unveiling the remains of several homes and a school in Kallio. The sight of the village, which had only been seen once before during another period of drought in the 1990s, has brought back memories for the former residents.

One such resident, Yorgos Iosifidis, a 60-year-old pensioner who once lived in Kallio, shared his experience with the AFP news agency. "You see the first floor that remains of my father-in-law's two-storey house... and next to it you can see what's left of my cousins' house," he said. The village, which once housed around 80 houses, a church, and a school, now stands as a haunting reminder of the past.

However, the future of the submerged village remains uncertain as the drought continues to plague the region. "If it doesn't rain soon, the level will drop further and the problem will be more acute than it was then," expressed Mr. Iosifidis, raising concerns about the village's preservation.

The situation in Greece is exacerbated by the record-breaking temperatures experienced in June and July this year, making it the hottest summer on record. The state water operator, EYDAP, reported a significant 30% decrease in water levels at the Mornos dam. Other reservoirs in the Attica region, including those supplying water to Athens, have also recorded a marked decline in water levels.

In response to the worsening water shortage, Greek authorities have called on the 3.7 million residents in the affected region to conserve water and avoid wasting this precious resource. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We don't have the luxury to waste water...at a time when we know with certainty that we will have less."

The occurrence in Kallio serves as a stark reminder of the adverse impacts of climate change, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense worldwide. In contrast, Yorkshire Water in the UK highlighted the success of reservoir restoration, as a wet winter and spring have replenished water levels in Yorkshire, bringing them close to full capacity.

As global warming continues to impact our planet, it is crucial for nations and individuals to prioritize the preservation and sustainable management of water resources. The emergence of this long-lost Greek village should serve as a wake-up call, urging us to take immediate action towards addressing climate change and protecting our invaluable water supplies.