Newsroom
The low-pressure system known as “Byron,” which has been affecting Cyprus since last Saturday, delivered much-needed rainfall across several regions, resulting in a notable increase in dam water levels. According to the Water Development Department, the recent precipitation has brought a welcome boost to the country’s reservoirs.
Between Friday, December 5, and Monday morning, December 8, the inflow to Cyprus’s major dams reached 476,000 cubic meters—the largest amount recorded so far in the current hydrological year, which began on October 1.
Among the dams, Mavrokolympos received the highest volume, with 115,000 cubic meters added. Other significant gains included Kouris with 82,000 cubic meters and Polemidia with 59,000 cubic meters. Smaller increases were observed in Arminou, Asprokremmos, Dipotamos, Kalopanagiotis, Evretou, Germasogeia, Kalavasos, Kannaviou, Agia Marina Chrysochou, Lefkara, and Pomos. Some dams, including Achna, Argaka, Vyzakia, and Xyliatos, saw no additional inflow.
While the weekend rains helped relieve parched landscapes and agricultural lands, heavy rainfall in coastal areas meant that a significant portion of water flowed directly into the sea. Natural waterways allowed some of this water to benefit the environment, but storm drains carrying debris and wastewater delivered pollutants to the coastline.
As of December 8, the overall capacity of Cyprus’s dams stood at 9.4%, equivalent to 27.46 million cubic meters of water, reflecting the ongoing challenge of replenishing the island’s water resources despite occasional rainfall events.
