WATER ZERO HOUR - CYPRUS IN A STATE OF ALERT - EXTRAORDINARY MEETING AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - ROAD MAP AND EMERGENCY MEASURES DECIDED

 Filenews 17 January 2026 - by Angelos Nikolaou

Cyprus is experiencing one of the most difficult water crises in recent decades, with 2025 already recorded as the 8th worst year in terms of inflows since 1901. The seriousness of the situation led last Wednesday to an extraordinary meeting under the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, where the Department of Water Development (WDD) presented a roadmap for saving the reserves, with the aim of preventing painful cuts in water supply.

PAPHOS - DRINKING WATER OF 'EXCELLENT QUALITY'

 Pafos Press 17 January 2026

Drinking water tested to be of “excellent quality”, Paphos District Authority President tells CNA

The President of the Paphos District Authority (DA), Charalambos Pittokopitis, appeared calm after complaints recently made by citizens about the smell of drinking water in various areas of the Paphos district, saying that it was judged to be of “excellent quality” following tests.

As Mr. Pittokopitis told CNA, immediately after the complaints were submitted, the Paphos DA proceeded with thorough tests of both the water tanks and the water supply network that supplies the specific areas. These tests “did not reveal any problems, while the water was judged to be of excellent quality and absolutely suitable for consumption.”

UNEXPECTEDLY GOOD WATER LEVELS - MAVROKOLYMPOS AND POMOS

 Pafos Live 17 January 2026

Two small dams of Paphos, Mavrokolympos and Pomos, had been completely emptied a few months ago. Both because of the drought and because of the failure in the case of Mavrokolympos.

Despite their capacity being less than three million, both are very important for the areas of the western low-lying area of Paphos and the northernmost point of the district. In mid-January, Pomos is now over 50% of its capacity and close to 40% is Mavrokolympos.

CRIME ROUND UP

Pafos Live 16 January 2026

 Around 8.50 last night, members of the Aradipos Police Station went to the area of Tsiakkilero in the province of Larnaca, as part of investigating information about nuisance by young persons.

During the examinations, the members of the Police moved towards the part of a car parked at the scene and a person was sitting in the passenger seat. The person in question, at the sight of the police, took a purse from the floor of the passenger seat and after getting out of the car, tried to escape on foot. He was stopped at a very short distance from the members of the Police.

CYPRUS ENTERS THE REFRIGERATOR - THE TEMPERATURE IS PLUMMETING - DROP OF 5 DEGREES CELCIUS - DETERIORATION IN THE WEATHER OVER THE WEEKEND

 Filenews 16 January 2026

The Cyprus Department of Meteorology predicts a deterioration of the weather with rain from tomorrow, Saturday, as well as a noticeable drop in temperature until Monday.

In his statements, the official of the Department of Meteorology, Panagiotis Ligis, stated that a change in the weather is expected with the entry of a colder air mass into the area, which will gradually affect the island.

PELOPONNESE WINE FESTIVAL - Carob Mill, Limassol - 2 February

 

PELOPONNESE WINE FESTIVAL

Ceronia Hall, Carob Mill, Limassol

2 February - Noon - 8pm

Tickets - https://www.more.com/cy-el/tickets/happenings/festival/peloponnese-wine-festival-cyprus-2026/

Cyprus Peloponnese Wine Festival 2026

Peloponnese wine meets Cyprus

NON-EUROPEAN CITIZENS - WHEN DOES THE ETIAS START? PROVISIONAL KEY DATES FOR NON-EUROPEANS TRAVELLING TO EUROPE

 The Independent 16 January 2026 - by Simon Calder

Re the information below the EES will apply to all non-Europeans travelling into Europe/Schengen area.  However, as long as you have your biometric residency issued by Cyprus, you will not need to do anything further regarding the EES as your biometric residency will carry the information required.

In due course, when released, all non-Europeans will need to apply for an ETIAS - a simple online procedure.  Scheduled provisionally for release late 2026/early 2027 - date keeps on being put back.

• The European Union launched its Entry-Exit System (EES) on 12 October 2025, with full implementation for British travellers to the Schengen area anticipated by April 2026.
• The EES will require British citizens to undergo biometric checks, including fingerprints and facial scans, upon their first entry and subsequent exits from the Schengen zone.
• The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) will be introduced around six months after the EES rollout is completed (estimated October 2026) but will not become mandatory for UK visitors until around six months later (estimated April 2027).
• Etias is an online permit costing €20, valid for three years, though it will be free for travellers under 18 or over 70.
• These new systems aim to enhance security, combat irregular migration, and ensure compliance with short-stay rules, which may result in longer border queues.