Dozens remain trapped in their village devastated by the cyclone

The 350 residents of Drakia village on Mount Pelion remain trapped and without access to the road network due to disasters caused by Cyclone Elias.

The village asks for help

Hiking to the nearest village of Agria, which has a connection with the outside world, is shocking, since the only way to approach it is on foot, climbing over the rubble.

The village is asking for help, the residents are worried about their habitat, located right between Chania and Agria. The roads leading to the village are cut into two parts. Local residents cannot travel in their cars, so they have to walk 10 km to Agria every day to get basic necessities, including water and food.

But as strange as it may sound, there are families who remain trapped even in their own homes due to a collapsed bridge cutting off access to them, the news site reports thestoday.grwho visited the village.

According to local residents, the only way to the road is through the collapsed slope.

“We are in despair. The small bridge leading to our houses has been destroyed, and access even deeper into the village is blocked. To get to the road, we have to cross the slope on foot, holding on to the trees,” says Katerina, the owner of the house. She added that at one time she sent an out-of-court complaint to the competent authorities about the poor quality of work on the project, especially under the small bridge.

Katerina’s fears were confirmed: a destroyed road, cobblestones, steps. Chaos, and among it – Katerina and her husband, who still live in a house classified as “red”, that is, “unsuitable for living”, which, due to erosion and cracks formed, could be demolished from the slope at any moment.

“We’re alive by luck”

In the village of Drakeya, rapid flows of water tore a house off its foundation, which was moved by at least half a meter. This is the second house in the village that has become unusable, and residents describe the moment water rushed into their home. “It was about 6 o’clock in the morning. We woke up from a strong noise that covered the entire area. We discovered that part of the slope had collapsed, and with it our house. We quickly went outside to escape. We succeeded, and we We live on luck, but the house is already ready to collapse. That is, the next time it rains, no one knows what consequences await us,” said the owner of the house.

Manufacturers are desperate

Drakea is the place where the famous Pelion apples are produced. However, due to damaged roads, farmers are watching their crops spoil as they are unable to reach their farms, wholesalers or markets. Village chief Nikos Kapelas emphasized the need to support producers. “We live off this. 80% of the village’s income comes from production. The problem with the road network must be solved at any cost so that we can collect apples, chestnuts and other crops,” he added.

Cyclone ELIAS hit the area on September 26, 2023, just two weeks after Cyclone DANIEL…

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