Water inflow into Cyprus dams has been “tragic” since October, with reserves continuing to shrink as consumption exceeds supply, the Water Development Department’s chief technical engineer said on Monday.
Marios Chatzikostis said total inflow since 1 October has reached just 1.7 million cubic metres, an amount he described as insignificant.
Dam capacity continues to fall because water consumption remains higher than inflow, causing reserves to shrink further, Chatzikostis said.
“For any substantial improvement in the situation, average inflow would need to be between 10 and 12 million cubic metres,” he said.
According to Water Development Department data, average inflow for October, November and December over the past 30-35 years stands at 13 million cubic metres, showing a serious shortfall this year.
Chatzikostis said the highest rainfall this year was recorded in the Polis Chrysochous coastal area at 170 per cent of normal levels, whilst Nicosia and Athienou recorded 140 per cent and Frenaros 115 per cent.
However, there are no dams in these areas, meaning the increased rainfall has not translated into water retention.
To reverse the situation, he stressed the need for “multi-day, many-hour torrential rains in the right place”.
“We need weather systems that deliver substantial amounts of rain, not in coastal areas as happened recently, but in the mountains and the catchment areas of the major dams,” he said, adding that the goal is to cover at least next year’s demand and ideally store water for the next two years.
Asked about the drought, Chatzikostis said it is a recurring phenomenon, with dry periods usually lasting up to three consecutive years.
This year is the fourth consecutive year, he said, expressing hope it will ultimately turn into a good, rainy year so sufficient water can be stored to meet the needs of all consumers, particularly farmers who have lacked necessary water for their crops in recent years.
He called on the public to use water sparingly regardless of weather conditions, stressing that conservation must become a daily habit.
“Droughts in Cyprus will not stop and with climate change things are getting worse,” he said, underlining the need for continuous and responsible management of this precious resource.
(information from CNA)