Despite weakened weather conditions linked to the low-pressure system “Erminio”, rainfall over the past 24 hours was enough to cause another dam in Cyprus to overflow. According to footage published by Kitasweather on social media, the Tamassos dam overflowed early Thursday morning, drawing visitors to the site.
Overall dam levels rise
Water inflows into reservoirs continued following recent rainfall, with total dam storage reaching 32.2%, corresponding to 93.542 million cubic metres of water. On the same day last year, total storage stood at 24.2%, or 70.393 million cubic metres. According to the Water Development Department, inflows over the past 24 hours amounted to 1.118 million cubic metres. Since October 1, total inflows have reached 75.601 million cubic metres. At the Kouris dam, the largest in Cyprus with a capacity of 115 million cubic metres, storage reached 30%, or 34.447 million cubic metres. On the corresponding day last year, it stood at 19.5%, or 22.477 million cubic metres.
Other major dams
At Kalavasos dam, storage stands at 11.9%, or 2.034 million cubic metres, compared with 27.2% or 4.659 million cubic metres a year earlier. The dam’s total capacity is 17.100 million cubic metres. At Asprokremmos dam, the largest in Paphos with a capacity of 52.375 million cubic metres, storage reached 34.7%, or 18.155 million cubic metres. Inflows over the past 24 hours were 0.170 million cubic metres. A year earlier, storage stood at 25.1%, or 13.123 million cubic metres. At Germasogeia dam, storage reached 35.5%, or 4.796 million cubic metres, compared with 26.1% or 3.521 million cubic metres last year. Inflows over the past 24 hours were 0.124 million cubic metres.
Strong levels in Kannaviou and Evretou
Kannaviou dam recorded inflows of 0.089 million cubic metres over the past 24 hours, with storage reaching 45.1%, or 7.737 million cubic metres. Its total capacity is 17.168 million cubic metres, while last year storage stood at 26.3%, or 4.516 million cubic metres. At Evretou dam, storage reached 40.7%, or 9.756 million cubic metres, compared with 24.7%, or 5.917 million cubic metres a year earlier. Inflows over the past 24 hours were 0.096 million cubic metres, while total inflows since October 1 reached 7.610 million cubic metres. The dam’s capacity is 24 million cubic metres.
At Dipotamos dam, storage reached 29.1%, or 4.507 million cubic metres. The dam has a capacity of 15.500 million cubic metres, with inflows of 0.050 million cubic metres recorded over the past 24 hours. On the same day last year, storage stood at 36.2%, or 5.616 million cubic metres.
“Erminio” rain
WDD Senior Officer, Marios Hadjicostis, in statements to the Cyprus News Agency, said that total dam storage currently stands at 93.5 million cubic metres, corresponding to 32.2% of the overall capacity. He added that inflows remain at satisfactory levels and are expected to continue, noting that recent rainfall has yet to fully reach the dams in order to be measured. Hadjicostis expressed optimism that daily inflows of around one million cubic metres could follow in the coming days. If rainfall continues into next week, total storage could surpass 100 million cubic metres, exceeding 35% of capacity.
Meanwhile, the “Erminio” system, which has been affecting Cyprus since Wednesday afternoon with beneficial rainfall, is gradually weakening and will give way to a dust episode, expected to last until Saturday afternoon, Meteorological Officer Michalis Mouskos told CNA. Mouskos said weather conditions in the coming days through Orthodox Easter Tuesday are expected to remain relatively unsettled, with intermittent showers and temperatures slightly below seasonal averages. A yellow weather warning issued on Wednesday expired at 11:00 local time on Thursday and has not been renewed.
“The main feature of today’s weather is dust moving in from the west,” Mouskos said, adding that isolated showers are still expected, mainly in eastern areas.
He noted that while the current dust episode is expected to ease later in the evening, a new wave will arrive early on Friday morning, leading to significantly elevated dust concentrations across many parts of the island until Saturday afternoon. Isolated showers are also forecast for Friday, with a chance of thunderstorms in mountainous and inland areas. Temperatures are expected to reach around 19°C inland and 18°C along the coast, below the seasonal averages of 22°C inland and 20–21°C on the coast.
Erminio has delivered notable rainfall totals across the island, including 49 mm in Platania, 36 mm in Agros, 40 mm in Kyperounta, 38 mm in Lefkara and 30 mm in Kornos. Looking ahead, scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms are expected on Saturday, with increased instability on Sunday, particularly during midday and afternoon hours. Similar unsettled conditions are forecast for Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday, with temperatures remaining slightly below average.