THE SITUATION WITH WATER RESERVES IS MARGINAL DESPITE THE VERY BENEFICIAL RAINS - WATER SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN CREATED - Filenews 23/3
Despite the very beneficial rains of this hydrological year, which resulted in the fourth best inflow of the decade to the dams, the situation with water reserves remains marginal, water security has not been created and conscious collection is required in its use, the Senior Officer of the Water Development Department, Gianna Oikonomidou, told KYPE.
In particular, Ms. Oikonomidou said that the rains of the last few days have brought a very significant boost to Cyprus' reserves, since in the last three days the water inflow to the dams amounted to 12.3 million cubic meters of water, This is, she continued, the largest three-day water inflow recorded since January 2020, adding that the fullness of the dams, on March 23, it amounted to around 26.9%.
He went on to say that "for the first time this year we surpass last year's corresponding day when occupancy was at 24.7%".
Furthermore, Mrs. Oikonomidou said that since the beginning of the hydrological year, the total inflow reached 59.8 million. cubic meters, which is a performance significantly improved compared to previous years, while it seems to be the fourth best inflow of the decade.
He then mentioned that on March 23, the Arminou dam overflowed, which is added to the other small dams that overflowed, namely the dams of Xyliatos, Argaka, Pomos, Kalopanagiotis, Klirou, Solea and Lympia.
He noted, however, that despite the significant improvement, the reserves are less than 1/3 of the total capacity of the dams and "we cannot say that we have overcome the risk". He added that the WDD is restrained as its goal is not to ensure water sufficiency only for this year, but also for the years 2027-2028".
Rainfall in the coming weeks until the end of April is crucial for assessing the situation, which will take into account drought management plans to determine the maximum allowable pumping from each dam, he said. He added that the effort for water sufficiency is collective and therefore citizens must continue prudent, responsible water consumption and EDAs must continue projects to reduce losses in their networks.
Asked about criticism of the water lost in the overflowing dams, she said that the water is not lost as it enriches the underground aquifers. Regarding the Arminou dam, he said that "since the beginning of the hydrological year, we have transported from Arminou to Kourri, supplying the southern pipeline, a quantity of water that corresponds to twice the capacity of the dam".
Rainfall at 149% of normal in March
After all, the average rainfall in the free areas reached 149% of the normal for March on Monday.
According to data from the Department of Meteorology, 92,4 mm of rainfall was recorded until March 23, which reaches 149% of the normal for the month.
It is noted that of these, 37.3 millimeters were recorded in the last three days, a percentage that exceeds 60% of the normal for the month.
