Filenews 7 June 2025 - by Vasos Vassiliou
The bomb fell for the two areas affected by landslides in Pissouri, with experts concluding that the phenomenon cannot be fully treated.
In areas that have been declared a white zone, the status is made permanent, which means that no residential development is allowed. Besides, any construction work is terminated. At the same time, areas around these zones are under strict monitoring and any application for development will be approved under conditions and after the geological data have been examined. It is noted that out of the approximately 250 houses located in the vulnerable areas ("Limnes/Lakes" area), 50 owners were instructed to abandon them.
As if the landslide were not enough, in the "Limnes" area in the summer of 2023, after deep drilling, gypsum rocks and underground gaps were identified. The situation is such that in the affected areas, plans are being drawn up even for the possible evacuation of homes, if and when natural phenomena (large earthquake, heavy rainfall, etc.) occur and cause landslides to the extent that lives or even homes will be threatened.
It is also noted that the technical measures that have been used, including a pile wall, which cost about €7 million, have failed and if ETEK had not insisted, the wall would have been completed at a cost of about €40 million, which would have gone to waste, since it would not have been able to stop the landslide.
A study carried out under the supervision of the Geological Survey Department has demonstrated the magnitude of the problem and after it has been evaluated, measures to slow down the phenomenon are being examined or even promoted, given that it cannot be stopped.
The community council was also informed about the findings of a relevant study, whose community leader indicates that the affected area is limited to a total of one square kilometer in a total area of 11 by 5 square kilometers occupied by the community, so, according to him, it is evident that most of the community does not face a problem.
The Senior Geological Officer at the Geological Survey Department, Zomenia Zomeni, responding to questions from "F" regarding the two landslides in residential areas of Pissouri, gave the following answers/clarifications:
>> The process of preparing the studies and the constant communication with the Community Council in the context of social dialogue and transparency, has helped to make the community understand that this is a natural phenomenon that cannot be fully addressed. The Geological Survey Department, with the continuous collection of data from the wider area of Pissouri, is able, when and if requested, to indicate new areas suitable for development.
>> According to the Decree of the Council of Ministers with the number 05.33.06 and the K.D.P. 354/2024, based on article 35(1) of the "Urban Planning and Spatial Planning Law", the area of the two landslides has been designated as a White Zone (Zone 00) in order to limit building development, due to the active landslides that cause instability and an increased degree of danger in the ground. The uses that exist in the designated White Zone will remain unchanged and any construction work will be terminated.
>> The traditional core of the community is built on a 75,000 square meter (75,000m2) old landslide.
>> The area of "Limnes" consists of a paleo-landslide with an area of 453,000m2 which began to be built in the 90s and currently contains around 250 residential units in the mass of the landslide.
>> In 2019, the Ministry of the Interior commissioned a private company to study the landslide of the "Lakes", resulting in the construction of 2 pile walls, a counterweight and various projects for rainwater drainage and the lowering of the aquifer. So far, the construction of the first pile wall has been completed.
>> The Geological Survey Department (GE) informed in the summer of 2023 about the discovery of gypsum rocks and underground gaps in a deep borehole in the area of Limnes, resulting in a decision of the Council of Ministers giving time credit for further investigation.
What measures are considered necessary
According to the Geological Survey Department, the commencement of drainage of the area of the "Lakes" as well as the preparation of a study and construction of a sewerage system in the stable areas of the community are of major importance. At the same time, the preparation of a hydrological study for the management of rainwater of the entire residential area and the study for the identification of losses from the water supply network are considered equally important. The best possible management of surface and groundwater in landslide areas is the most important and effective measure to slow down/mitigate the effects of the phenomenon.
