Filenews 4 June 2024 - by Despina Psillou
The nightmare of water shortages in Cyprus comes to life, with the picture in the dams being dramatic today, while summer heatwaves are gradually appearing. As the director of the Department of Meteorology, Filippos Tymvios, told "F", this year we record the 10th worst year in terms of total rainfall compared to data collected for 123 years.
The tragic picture formed by the drought of autumn and winter, resulting in the emergence today of the bottom of the dams, is also revealed by the data of the Water Development Department.
The level of stored water has already plummeted very low and is below half its capacity, at 42.1%. In the most difficult position are the dams of Argaka (20.2%), Kalavasos (28.6%) and Vyzakia (29.1%).
The total capacity of the dams is 290 million. cubic meters. There are currently 122.4 million of them. m.m. of water. In other words, the dams are at 42.1% of their occupancy, compared to 65.6% last year, i.e. they had an additional 68 445 million. cubic meters of water.
Kouris, the largest dam in Cyprus, tends to be emptied since of the 115 million dams in Cyprus. m² of water has only 41.9 million. m.m., that is, it is at 36.5% of its capacity. A year ago it had almost twice as much water (61%).
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 38.4%. Last year they were at 60.7% of their capacity.
The Pafos dams (Asprokremmos, Kannaviou and Mavrokolymbos) with a capacity of 71.7 million. cubic meters are at 49.5%. Last year they were at 74.9% of their capacity. The Chrysochous dams (Evretou, Argaka, Pomos, Agia Marina) with a capacity of 26.1 million. cubic meters, they are at 48.5%. Last year it was 72.6%. The Nicosia dams (Vyzakia, Xyliatos and Kalopanayiotis) with a capacity of 3.4 million. cubic meters, they are at 43.8%. Last year it was at 89.5%.
In the best condition in terms of stored quantities of water compared to all the others are the dams of Kalopanayiotis (79.3% from 100% last year), Agia Marina (77.9% from 85.9 last year), Pomos (70.2% from 96.7% last year).
These dramatic data are difficult to differentiate during this year's hydrological year, as its rainy months are long gone, with warmer ones now coming, while increasing the need for water.
