Filenews 13 May 2024 - by Despina Psiliou
The image of the dams in Cyprus is causing disappointment and concern, while summer is just around the corner.
The water level is already very low and below half its capacity, having plummeted to 44.8%. In fact, in some dams such as Argaka and Kalavasos, it is not excluded that their bottom will soon be revealed, as occupancy fell below 30%.
This dramatic situation is difficult to differentiate during this year's hydrological year, as the rainy months have passed and summer is now expected, when the inflow is even less and the water needs are increased.
According to data from the Water Development Department, the total capacity of the dams is 290 million. cubic meters. There are currently 130.2 million of them. m.m. of water. In other words, the dams are at 44.8% of their occupancy, compared to 68% last year, i.e. they had 197 million tonnes. cubic meters of water.
Kouris, the largest dam in Cyprus, tends to be emptied since out of the 115 million dams in Cyprus. m² of water has only 44.1 million. m.m., that is, it is at 38.4% of its capacity. A year ago it had almost twice as much water (63.3%).
The dams of the South Pipeline (Kouris, Kalavasos, Lefkara, Dipotamos, Germasogeia, Arminou, Polemidia and Achna) with a total capacity of €189.4 million. cubic meters of water are at 40.8%. Last year they were at 63.3% of their capacity.
The Pafos dams (Asprokremmos, Kannaviou and Mavrokolymbos) with a capacity of 71.7 million. cubic meters are at 52.4%. Last year they were at 77% of their capacity. The Chrysochous dams (Evretou, Argaka, Pomos, Agia Marina) with a capacity of 26.1 million. cubic meters, they are at 52.1%. Last year it was 74.5%. The Nicosia dams (Vyzakia, Xyliatos and Kalopanayiotis) with a capacity of 3.4 million. cubic meters, they are at 50.3%. Last year it was 93.5%.
The least amount of water is stored in the Argaka dam, where occupancy is only 22.2%, compared to 100% a year ago. The dam of Kalavasos has limited quantities of water 29.7% (from 43.5% last year) and Vizakia 33.9% (from 88.2% last year).
On the contrary, in the best condition in terms of stored quantities of water compared to all the others are the dams of Kolopanagiotis (94.5% from 100% last year), Pomos (79.4% from 100% last year) and Agia Marina (78.5% from 89.3 last year).
According to the forecasts of the Meteorological Service, the weather conditions of the next few days will not be able to contribute to the dams with water inflow. Our area is affected by a disturbance, which gradually subsides and is not expected to give significant rainfall.
Today, as an officer of the Department of Meteorology told "F", the weather will be locally cloudy and it is not excluded that isolated rains or thunderstorms will occur mainly after noon, while moderate wind gusts will be observed. The temperature is expected to be up to four degrees below normal levels for the season.
Tomorrow, any weather conditions will weaken further and weaken even more by Wednesday. Locally, it is not excluded that there will be increased clouds, which may give isolated rain or even thunderstorms after noon. On Thursday the weather will be mostly clear.
The temperature by Thursday is expected to gradually rise to hover near 30 degrees Celsius. The atmosphere, until then, is not expected to be affected by a new dust episode.
