The president of the Union of Municipalities and Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras will request a comprehensive unified study to address flooding across all cities in Cyprus.
He plans to meet with state officials to discuss recurring problems and their financial implications.
Following recent severe weather in Paphos and Limassol, Vyras emphasised that flooding affects all cities and is becoming increasingly severe.
While each city has its unique characteristics, we need a unified policy that, if not eliminating floods, can at least minimize potential loss of life and damage to infrastructure and property, he said.
Speaking to philenews, Vyras noted that municipalities will make every effort to address the issue but cannot implement solutions without state support due to high costs.
For Larnaca specifically, a €6.5 million anti-flooding project contract will be signed on November 18, covering the “Kamares” area where flooding has repeatedly occurred.
The two-year project adds to the €20 million worth of works already completed in Larnaca, with more planned.
All cities have implemented or planned hundreds of millions worth of central sewerage system works, though completion will take time.
The municipalities remain open to discussing additional preventive or corrective measures in the interim.
Officials attribute flooding partly to climate change and modifications to river beds and increased concrete coverage, which disrupts natural water flow during extreme weather events, forcing water into streets, homes, and properties.
