Recent floods in Valencia, Spain, have heightened concerns about similar disasters potentially affecting Cyprus, where recent storms have already caused flooded streets and landslides in residential areas.
Costas Aristeidou, a hydrologist at the Water Development Department (WDD), told Phileleftheros that Cyprus faces risks of Valencia-type flooding incidents. He revealed that 38 high-risk areas have been identified across Cyprus, with 37 being torrents that flow through urban areas.
“While Valencia’s rivers are much larger than Cyprus’s, our smaller waterways can produce similar phenomena on a smaller scale. We’ve had deaths and cars being swept away in the past”, Aristeidou said. He emphasised that flash floods occur suddenly, leaving little time for public warnings.
Fire Service Director Nicos Logginos explained that while emergency services prepare for such incidents, no country can fully prevent them. He noted that when rainfall exceeds drainage capacity – for instance, when 100mm of rain falls on infrastructure designed for 20mm – flooding becomes inevitable.
According to the WDD, one of the main causes of flooding in Cyprus is the disruption of river and stream beds, primarily due to development along water flows. Riverbeds are being levelled for cultivation or covered for urban use, effectively eliminating riparian zones.
The situation is exacerbated by insufficient flood prevention infrastructure, blocked drains, and construction within riverbeds. Scientists predict increased flooding probability in coming years due to climate change effects, with Cyprus widely recognised as a climate change “hotspot”.
The WDD has updated its flood risk management programme in line with European directives, implementing prevention, protection, preparedness and recovery measures. These include public awareness campaigns, early warning systems upgrades, flood control infrastructure, and sustainable stormwater management.
The Fire Service emphasises prevention as crucial. Logginos advised residents to ensure their drainage systems are clear and functioning properly, secure any openings in properties below road level, and limit unnecessary travel during extreme weather events.
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