WATER FLOW TO RESERVOIRS SECOND WORST IN A DECADE

From Cyprus Mail 28 December 2017 - article by Evie Andreou

The flow of water into the island’s reservoirs is the second worst in a decade with reserves standing only at 13 per cent of capacity, according to data from the water development department.

The rainfall over the last few days did not make much difference as regards water flow, senior official at the WDD, Fedros Roussis said.

According to Roussis, there has been inflow of around 148,000 cubic metres the last few days, mainly into the Kouris and Arminou reservoirs.

The total water flow between October 1 to date was 476,000 cubic metres, making this quarter the second worst. The worst, Roussis said, was the equivalent quarter in 1990, when water flow in reservoirs was 460,000 cubic metres.

He added that at the moment, reservoirs are at 13 per cent of overall capacity, which is the second worst in the past decade and the sixth worst on record. The worst water flow ever, he said, was in 2008.

Roussis said that at the moment no decision has been taken as regards water cuts for irrigation. If such decision is to be made it will be in the spring, after the rainy season is over.

Usually, he said, the highest levels of rainfall in Cyprus are recorded in January and February.

Roussis said that no water cuts are expected for domestic use.

In the past, when water flow was very low it was a lot worse as there were no desalination plants, he said.

According to the met office, rain and storms are expected in the weekend, mainly Saturday.

Temperatures, that are currently over normal seasonal levels – around 16 degrees Celsius inland and 18C in the coastal areas – are expected to gradually drop during the weekend by three to four degrees.