This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2023 shows a flooded area in Larissa area, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
ATHENS, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported.
"The state will stand by the side of people with no delays," Mitsotakis said during his second visit to Thessaly region within three days.
Procedures for the support of households and businesses will start on Monday and people who saw their homes, farms or fields submerged in mud waters will immediately receive financial aid to cover urgent needs, he said.
Further compensations and funding to restore their properties and rebuild destroyed infrastructure will follow, he added.
The storm dubbed "Daniel" which swept Greece from Monday and hit hard Thessaly for two days, receded on Thursday evening.
Entire villages in some areas can be approached only by boats and helicopters, and dozens of people receive food, water and medicines by drones, Greek national news agency AMNA reported on Sunday.
A total of 4,486 people have been evacuated to safety since Tuesday, the Fire Brigade said on Sunday evening.
More than 70,000 hectares of land were submerged by water and mud, according to estimates of the National Observatory of Athens.
With thousands of farm animals drowned, the protection of public health is a top priority, Mitsotakis said.
Authorities advised people to drink only bottled water and avoid contacting dead animals, as crews have started removing them.
A large part of cultivations of the Thessaly plain, which is a key agricultural production area for Greece, was also washed away. According to experts and local producers, it will take up to five years to get back to normalcy and grow produce in fertile soil again. ■
This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2023 shows dead sheep in Palamas village of Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
Residents clean up their properties in Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece, on Sept. 10, 2023. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2023 shows residents stranded by flood in Larissa area, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
A vehicle of the Fire Brigade tows two boats in Palamas village of Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece, on Sept. 10, 2023. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2023 shows residents being evacuated by a bulldozer in Larissa area, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
Members of the Fire Brigade evacuate residents with boats in Larissa area, Thessaly region, Greece, on Sept. 10, 2023. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows a shoe in the mud in Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken regions in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows a flooded road in Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken regions in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows flooded houses in Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken regions in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows flooded houses in Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken regions in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows a cow near flooded houses in Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken regions in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 show a destroyed electricity pole in Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken regions in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows a flooded house in Karditsa, Thessaly region, Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Sunday the first package of relief measures for the flood-stricken regions in central Greece, as the flood-caused death toll increased to 15, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)