State machinery on high alert and in emergency mode as heatwave approaches. Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis convened an inter-ministerial coordination meeting on Sunday morning due to extremely high temperatures expected from Monday across mainland Greece. The meeting followed an earlier session of the scientific Risk Assessment Committee.
Read: Thessaloniki: Air-conditioned halls prepared for heatwave relief with extended operating hours
The meeting decided the following measures:
- The Fire Department will be on standby according to operational planning.
- Increased readiness for the Ministries of Interior, Health, Labor and Social Security, and Tourism.
- Armed Forces will conduct patrols and keep construction machinery ready for immediate deployment if needed.
- Increased readiness for ELAS (Hellenic Police) and the Coast Guard.
- Enhanced readiness for Civil Protection mechanisms of Regions and Municipalities (construction machinery, water trucks, volunteer groups), as well as the Forest Service.
- Finally, DEDDIE, ADMIE and EKAB will be on increased alert.
Heatwave: Emergency coordination meeting between Environment Ministry, ADMIE, DEDDIE and RAE
Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou convened an emergency coordination meeting of the Working Group between the Environment and Energy Ministry, ADMIE, DEDDIE and RAE today, preparing to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply across the country.
The meeting included Deputy Minister Nikos Tsafos, Energy and Raw Materials General Secretary Despoina Paliarrouta, RAE Energy Sector Vice President Dimitris Fourlaris, ADMIE Operations Director Dimitris Michos and DEDDIE Network Operations Director Nikos Skiathitis. This Working Group has maintained systematic communication since April to prevent power supply problems.
The meeting reviewed impacts of high temperatures on underground and overhead cables, as well as immediate interventions required to maintain continuous electricity supply to households and businesses during the first 45 days of summer. In Athens and Thessaloniki from June 1 to July 15, 2025, the vast majority of faults were restored in less than 2 hours (53.85% in overhead networks, 75.76% in underground networks, 100% in high and medium voltage substations). The meeting also discussed forecasts for the coming period and the adequacy plan for system supply even under emergency conditions, utilizing preventive measures developed by the Operators.
Minister Papastavrou expressed satisfaction with the system’s readiness level and competent authorities, while requesting increased operational vigilance for the coming heatwave and high temperatures throughout summer.
Emergency weather bulletin – Heatwave likely to end Saturday
According to the Emergency Weather Deterioration Bulletin (EDEK) issued today by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), high temperatures are forecast across our country for almost the entire week starting Monday (21-7-2025). The heatwave will likely end Saturday (26-7-2025). The highest values (maximum temperatures above 41 degrees) will be recorded from Tuesday (22-7-2025) onwards in mainland Greece’s interior.
Note that:
A. In coastal areas of mainland Greece, maximum temperatures will be 2-4 degrees lower than in the mainland interior.
B. From Wednesday, minimum temperatures in urban centers will remain at high levels, ranging around 26-28 degrees Celsius.
Details:
1. Monday (21-07-25): High temperatures will prevail across all mainland areas, the Ionian and Dodecanese. Maximum values will reach:
a) In mainland areas 38-40 and possibly locally in Thessaly and central Macedonia 41 degrees Celsius. In Athens and Thessaloniki 38 degrees.
b) In Ionian islands and Dodecanese 35-36 degrees Celsius.
2. Tuesday (22-07-25): Temperatures will rise further. Maximum values will reach:
a) In mainland Greece 39-41, locally in central Macedonia 42 and in Thessaly 43 degrees Celsius. In Athens and Thessaloniki 39-40 degrees.
b) In Ionian islands and eastern Aegean islands 37-38 and in Dodecanese locally 39 degrees Celsius.
3. Wednesday (23-07-25): Temperatures will remain at high levels. Maximum values are estimated to reach:
a) In mainland areas 40-41 and locally in eastern areas 42-43 degrees Celsius. In Athens 40 and in Thessaloniki 39 degrees.
b) In eastern Aegean islands and Dodecanese 38-40 degrees Celsius.
c) In Ionian islands 37-39 degrees Celsius.
Citizens can stay informed daily about extreme weather developments through EMY’s regular weather bulletins and on EMY’s website at www.emy.gr, (www.oldportal.emy.gr).
Civil Protection recommendations for citizens
The General Secretariat of Civil Protection has informed relevant state services, regions and municipalities to maintain increased civil protection readiness to immediately address impacts from high temperatures. The GSCP provides recommendations for citizens to be particularly careful, taking self-protection measures against risks from high temperatures.
In areas where high temperatures are forecast, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection alerts vulnerable groups to be especially careful to avoid health problems like heat exhaustion and heat stroke caused by high temperatures.
Specifically, according to self-protection guidelines for high temperatures, citizens are advised to:
- Stay in cool, shaded spaces away from crowds, use air conditioning or fans and avoid heavy physical work in areas with high temperature, stillness and high humidity.
- Avoid sunbathing, walking or running under the sun and wear hats and sunglasses and light-colored clothing made from fabric that allows skin to breathe and facilitates sweat evaporation, avoiding synthetic fabrics.
- Consume light meals with fruits and vegetables, limiting fats and food quantity.
- Drink plenty of water and fruit juices, avoiding alcohol.
Special care is recommended for babies and small children, as well as elderly people and those with chronic diseases for protection from high temperatures.
For more information and self-protection guidelines from high temperatures, citizens can visit the General Secretariat of Civil Protection website at civilprotection.gov.gr and the following Health Ministry document “Prevention of impacts from high temperatures and heatwaves”:
Specific issues regarding prevention of thermal stress for workers are provided in the following document from the Ministry of Labor & Social Security “Prevention of thermal stress for workers”:
For more information and self-protection guidelines from high temperatures, citizens can visit the General Secretariat of Civil Protection website at civilprotection.gov.gr
