Recent rainfall has significantly improved inflows into Cyprus’ dams, delivering the fourth-best performance of the decade. However, water reserves remain at marginal levels and do not yet guarantee water security, a senior official at the Water Development Department (WDD) has warned.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Yianna Economidou said the latest rainfall has provided a “very significant boost” to reservoirs, but stressed that the situation remains fragile.
Largest inflow in years recorded
Over the past three days alone, dam inflows reached 12.3 million cubic metres, marking the highest three-day inflow recorded since January 2020. Since the start of the hydrological year, total inflows have reached 59.8 million cubic metres, showing a notable improvement compared to recent years. Dam capacity stood at 26.9% on Monday, surpassing last year’s level for the same date, when it reached 24.7%. Several dams have already overflowed, including Arminou, along with smaller reservoirs such as Xyliatos, Argaka, Pomos, Kalopanayiotis, Klirou, Solea and Lymbia.
Reserves remain below critical threshold
Despite the improvement, Economidou stressed that reserves remain below one third of total capacity.
“We cannot say that we have overcome the danger,” she said, adding that authorities are proceeding cautiously with the aim of ensuring water sufficiency not only for this year but also for 2027 and 2028.
She noted that rainfall levels in the coming weeks, up to the end of April, will be crucial in determining the overall outlook and guiding decisions on dam usage and pumping limits under drought management plans.
The WDD official emphasised that water sufficiency is a collective effort, calling on citizens to maintain responsible consumption and on local authorities to continue infrastructure works aimed at reducing water losses. Addressing criticism that overflow water is wasted, she clarified that such water contributes to replenishing underground aquifers.
Economidou also highlighted that water from the Arminou dam has been transferred to Kourris dam since the beginning of the hydrological year, supporting the southern pipeline system with volumes equivalent to twice Arminou’s capacity.
Rainfall above seasonal average
According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall up to March 23 reached 92.4 millimetres, corresponding to 149% of the normal monthly average. Of this total, 37.3 millimetres were recorded over the past three days.
While recent rainfall has eased immediate pressure, authorities stress that Cyprus remains far from water security, with the coming weeks expected to play a decisive role in shaping the island’s water outlook.
Source: CNA