ELAS urges swift repairs and full readiness as Crete faces worsening floods

In a statement, the Greek Left Alliance (ELAS) mourned the recent flood-related death in Crete and extended sympathy to the victim’s relatives. The coalition pointed to intense rainfall that triggered river overflows, landslides, flooded buildings and extensive damage to homes, businesses, farms and transport networks in the Heraklion, Rethymno and Lasithi regions, especially in Malades, Phonikia, Gouves, Mylopotamos and Zonia.

Dr. Kostas Lagouvardos, head of ELAS’s Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and Environment and Energy sectors, inspected the affected zones and confirmed the scale of destruction. ELAS called for an immediate, detailed inventory of losses, swift and fair compensation, restoration of accessibility and critical infrastructure, removal of debris, and continuous coordination among civil protection, the Crete region, local municipalities, fire services and technical agencies. The alliance warned that a new wave of heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds is forecast for Friday afternoon through Sunday noon, heightening flood and landslide hazards, and urged pre-emptive deployment of rescue personnel and equipment to protect vulnerable communities.