Cyprus Reservoirs Hit Record Lows Amidst Historic Drought

Cyprus is grappling with its most severe drought on record, leading to critically low reservoir levels just before the peak tourist season. Authorities have officially requested a 10% reduction in water consumption, advising residents to conserve by limiting activities like showering. This urgent appeal is part of a new €31m emergency water management package.

The island nation's dam inflows have reached their lowest point since hydrological records began in 1901. Despite other parts of Europe experiencing rain, key reservoirs like Kouris are at just 12.2% capacity. Overall water reserves in February stand at 13.7% of total storage, a stark drop from 26% at the same time last year.

This crisis is exacerbated by soaring demand, with water needs increasing by 300% since 1901 due to population growth and a thriving tourism sector. Annual rainfall has also seen an estimated 15% decrease in the same period. Some areas in Cyprus report per capita consumption as high as 500 litres daily, prompting a campaign to limit household usage to around 140 litres.

To address the escalating situation, Cyprus is investing in wastewater reuse, fixing leaks (which affect up to 40% of local networks), and financial support for water-saving appliances. The government is also accelerating the installation of desalination plants, with a goal of having 14 units operational, partly through donations. However, some critics argue that preventative measures were not implemented soon enough, pointing to past scientific predictions of rising temperatures and water scarcity.