Newsroom
A brief but intense downpour over the weekend turned part of Engomi into a fast-moving river, raising fresh concerns over Cyprus’ readiness to handle extreme weather.
Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos didn’t hold back in a video post from the flooded Lefkotheou Avenue, where he said just 15 minutes of heavy rainfall was enough to overwhelm the area. While municipal crews responded quickly and had taken preventive measures beforehand, he said the root of the problem lies elsewhere.
“This is what happens when flood protection infrastructure is incomplete,” Prountzos said. “And it’s not just about one storm. Climate change is making these events stronger and more destructive.”
The mayor praised the city’s response, four municipal crews were dispatched during the storm, working in coordination with other agencies, but made it clear that such reactive efforts aren’t enough.
In his statement, Prountzos pointed out that while some flood mitigation projects have been completed in the Nicosia district, many critical areas remain vulnerable. He urged the government to fast-track long-overdue works in Engomi, Agios Pavlos, Pallouriotissa, Aglantzia and other neighborhoods.
“What we need are serious flood protection works, not just cleanup after the fact,” he said. “And these projects can be funded through the Recovery Fund, which, instead of being used, is currently sitting idle.”
The mayor didn’t stop at broad calls for action, he raised direct questions about longstanding project delays. Among them: Why haven’t runoff ponds at the old State Fairgrounds or near the former Nicosia airport been completed? Are these delays contributing to the frequent flooding in Engomi and Agios Dometios?
He also pointed to areas like Heroes Avenue, Ilias Papakyriakou, Industrial Engomi, and Grivas Digenis as places that have been waiting decades for proper protection. Other vulnerable zones include Skali and Aglantzia, where floodwaters reportedly destabilized a rocky slope above residential homes.
“How many more times do roads like Navarino and Salaminos have to be repaired before we realize that without real flood defences, we’re just throwing money at symptoms?” he asked.
Prountzos also questioned which government body is actually in charge of flood protection, saying the overlapping responsibilities between various agencies have led to a bureaucratic mess. But for residents, he said, none of that matters.
“People don’t care which agency is supposed to be in charge. They care about not waking up to find their homes underwater. And that’s a perfectly reasonable expectation.”
