Two settlements that are located in East Macedonia and Thrace region, Northern Greece, have been evacuated due to major flooding caused by the overflowing of nearby Evros river.

The local authorities have been on “red alert” for the past couple of days, as the water levels of the swollen river have far exceeded normal levels.

According to regional governor Yorgos Pavlidis, last night the river overflowed and the water flowed under the rock fills surrounding the railway tracks, reaching the first houses of the village Lagyna. The authorities decided to proceed to the evacuation immediately, in order to protect the lives of the villagers.

“We have an unprecedented amount of water in the region,” Mr. Pavlidis said, adding that at some points of the river, near the town of Feres, the amount of water reaches 2,850 cubic meters / per second.

Mr. Pavlidis also noted that a second settlement in the region of Feres, called Poros, was evacuated late last night and about 80 people have been moved to hotels in the surrounding area.