Filenews 26 June 2025 - by Vasos Vassiliou
"The landslides in Pissouri concern a natural phenomenon that cannot be dealt with in its entirety," clarified the director of the Geological Survey Department, Mr. Christodoulos Hadjigeorgiou, before the parliamentary Committee on the Interior.
Specifically, Mr. Hadjigeorgiou, informing the MPs, said that in the context of a study carried out under the supervision of the Department, the model was created on the basis of which "we know the parameters, the scope of the problem, etc., and what is concluded is that it is a natural phenomenon that cannot be treated in its entirety".
He also said that "the phenomenon is evolving at a slow pace and what we can do is mitigate and slow down its effects."
He also noted that in this context, it is imperative to drain the subsoil, which will help the drilling of boreholes (they are already being promoted) while a network has been created that will help the whole effort. Part of the same effort is the creation of a sewage system in the community. Equally important is the continuous monitoring of the phenomenon.
Regarding the risks that lurk, he said: "Immediate danger can arise under special circumstances such as a large catastrophic earthquake or an intense weather phenomenon or prolonged rains."
The professor of CUT, Mr. Christodoulos Danezis, revealed that in the three years that he has been monitoring the phenomenon, he has noticed an increase in the speed of the ground under rainfall, while the same can happen due to seismic phenomena.
"It is, he said, a function of various factors," he added.
On behalf of the General Directorate of the Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Zisimos said:
The problems in Pissouri are a complex geological phenomenon with many dimensions. As of 13/9/2023, the Council of Ministers decided to establish an Interministerial Committee with the participation of the Ministers of Agriculture, Transport and the Interior.
The Ministry decided that the three ministers will follow a policy and coordinate their actions in the direction of managing the phenomenon.
The competent Departments (Geological and Water Department) decided that at this stage the phenomenon had to be studied in depth because there was no complete picture as to its scope, depth and parameters.
Based on these data, the two Departments decided to carry out a study by our technocrats and in this direction we also requested the assistance of experts from several European institutes. An action plan has been drawn up with the following main pillars:
-The creation of a geological model that investigated the phenomenon in all its geological parameters, so that we can understand it in depth.
-The monitoring of the phenomenon with various techniques and technology.
-The adoption of management/stabilization measures and in general how it is changing, in the sense that it is a dynamic system.
-Measures to stabilize the phenomenon and its short-term management by lowering the aquifer of the area. These measures include drilling boreholes in order to study in depth or the entire situation but also for the removal of aquifer waters. At the same time, the measures included the removal of wastewater from the area.
-Civil protection measures for the evacuation of citizens.
The study has already been completed and has helped us to fully understand the problem.
On 30 June, the Interministerial Committee will meet in order to inform ministers about the study and political direction will be sought as to the measures to be promoted.
The director of the Geological Survey Department, Mr. Christodoulos Hadjigeorgiou, said that the Geological Department undertook the coordination of the study (mapping, drilling, etc.).
He also said that a timely monitoring system is being set up for immediate information on the movements of the territory, something about which the residents will also be informed. In order for these to work, the cooperation of the community is also necessary.
On behalf of the Civil Defence, Mr. George Nicolaou said that since 2022, an evacuation plan has been drawn up for the "Lakes" area, where the biggest landslide problem is observed.
When we were informed by the Geological Survey Department that there is an evolution of the phenomenon, we also proceeded with a plan to evacuate the community, he added. As he said, the plan is not complete since the community has not yet provided some necessary data, such as the number of residents, people with mobility or other problems in order to fully complete the planning.
At this point, the community leader intervened, who said that the data are ready. The representative of the Civil Defense also mentioned that after the plan was drawn up, there was no training of the residents(as to how to act in case of the need to evacuate). This will happen when the community gathers the residents.
He also said that a siren and sensors were installed to sound an alarm when the need arises.
The professor of CUT, Mr. Christodoulos Danezis, said that ten sensors have been installed in Pissouri that record the changes in the terrain and within 2026 an early warning system will be delivered so that people can be warned in time to prevent injuries etc.
At this point, the chairman of the Committee, Aristos Damianou, said that from what he understands, the change that is observed refers to a worsening of the phenomenon, so Mr. Danezis commented: "Exactly".
He added the following: In the three years that we have been monitoring the phenomenon, we have observed an increase in the speed of the ground under rainfall, while it can also be affected by seismic phenomena. It is, he said, a function of various factors.
The president of the Community, Mr. Panagiotis Mavroudis, said that good work was done with the studies, which came to the conclusion that the problem concerns groundwater. Pumps have been installed but they need to be connected in order to remove the water.
He also said that the problem concerns the "Lakes" area and not the community.
