Department of Water Development: Decreased dam capacity

Dams are still less full than last year, despite the rains of the last few days, putting Cyprus facing a particularly bad year in terms of water flow. According to the data of the Department of Water Development, the flow of water in the dams in the last 24 hours was only 381 thousand cubic meters, which is considered particularly low for the rainy days of winter.

"The last rains offered us almost nothing in relation to what we expect from the winter rains and they barely managed to cover the consumptions," the Senior Technical Engineer at the Water Department, Marios Chatzikosti, told KYPE.

At the same time, the total flow at the dams since the beginning of October reached 18,5 million cubic meters. As Mr. Hatzikostis mentioned, this flow is particularly low if you consider that we had the same flow in just one three-day period last year in January.

"We started very well with the October and November rains, but it is now turning into a bad year," he said.

In particular, the total occupancy at the dams is currently at 67,2% compared to 75,9% last year in the same period. Occupancy at the largest dam, that of Kouri, is at 63% compared to 69% at the same time last year. At the Asprokremmos dam, occupancy is at 78,3% compared to 93,1% last year, while at Evretos dam occupancy is at 69% compared to 76% last year.

The total amount of water in the dams is 195,4 million cubic meters compared to 220,7 million in the corresponding period last year.

Asked whether the situation is likely to improve from now on, Mr. Chatzikostis said that the highest volume of rainfall is usually during the winter months and until March. From March onwards, he said it is rare to have an increased flow. He also clarified that from the gradual melting of the snow, very little water ends up in the dams.

Nevertheless, Mr. Hatzikostis reported that occupancy rates are relatively good, since with the exception of 2020-21, all years from 2019 onwards have been good years in terms of rainfall. For the year 2021-2022 the total inflow amounted to 153.753 million cubic meters, while for the year 2020-2021 the total flow was limited to 36 million. However, two particularly good years had preceded and the flow at the dams remained at good levels.

"We are still at good occupancy rates, we would just prefer to reach 75%-80% to be more comfortable," said Mr. Hatzikostis, while estimating that this year will also fluctuate at the low levels of 2020-21.

Stating that there will be no problem with water supply due to desalination, Mr. Hatzikostis said that it is too early to know what will happen with irrigation and whether small cuts will need to be made. The situation will be much worse, as he said, in the event that rainfall fluctuates at low levels next year as well.

Source: KYPE