Alpha News

Rainfall Fails to Replenish Cyprus' Reservoirs

Published January 3, 2026, 19:17

Recent rainfall in Cyprus has failed to significantly improve water levels in the island's reservoirs, leading to renewed calls for the construction of two new dams in Paphos. Members of Parliament Chrysanthos Savvidis and Ilias Myrianthos, along with the president of the Paphos Water Development Corporation, Charalambos Pittokopitis, are urging the Ministry of Agriculture to approve the projects, specifically on the Diarizos River near Souskiou and the Ezousa River near Episkopi. The situation is exacerbated by previous issues with the Kouklia desalination plant and the Mavrokolybos dam, which required repairs and currently stands at 30.1% capacity. This highlights the ongoing water scarcity problem in the region and the urgent need for solutions. The Meteorological Service forecasts a temperature increase in the coming days, exceeding average climate values by up to 4 degrees Celsius, offering little hope for immediate reservoir replenishment. The lack of water in the reservoirs and the changing weather patterns underscore the need for comprehensive planning and swift action to address Cyprus' water scarcity issues and ensure a sustainable water supply.