ATHENS

Less rainfall in Greece owing to climate change has prompted authorities in Athens to ask residents not to waste water, as scarcity of the most important commodity continues to hit the capital hard.

Local media reported on Tuesday that the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP) issued a statement asking residents not to waste water.

However, water reservoirs across Athens have been activated to support the city's water supply, EYDAP Managing Director Haris Sahinis told the state-run AMNA news agency.

He said the severe decrease in rainfall caused the water level in reservoirs to drop, warning that "the situation would worsen if we don't see enough rain and snowfall this winter."

In the unfortunate scenario that drought continues in the coming year due to climate change, the Environment and Energy Ministry is already working to find alternative solutions based on the lowest economic and environmental costs, including the construction of new reservoirs.