The water levels in dam reservoirs across Cyprus have dropped to 36.8%, exacerbated by the ongoing heatwave and limited water flow recorded during the winter months.
According to data from the Water Development Department, as of July 19, the total stored water volume was 107 million cubic meters, or 36.8% of the total dam capacity. This is a significant decrease from the same period last year, which saw 176.6 million cubic meters or 60.7% of capacity.
On July 19, the Nicosia dams recorded the lowest capacity at 29.8%, a sharp decline from 76.3% the previous year. The dams in the Southern Conveyor system, including Kouris, the largest dam in Cyprus, had an overall capacity of 33.8%, compared to 56.5% last year.
The four dams in Chrysochou had a total capacity of 41.1%, down from 64.6% last year. Similarly, the dams in Paphos were at 43.5%, compared to 69.8% during the same period last year.
From October 1, 2023 (the start of the hydrological year) to July 19, the water inflow was only 24.5 million cubic meters. This is nearly half the 48.77 million cubic meters recorded from October 1, 2022, to the end of September 2023.
Due to the exceptionally low water flow into the dams and consequently low reservoir levels, the government has included additional funds of €58.1 million in the supplementary state budget. These funds are allocated for the purchase of water and the operation of desalination plants.
