Officials prepare for Asprokremos overflow

Officials are not taking any chances ahead of the highly anticipated overflow of Asprokremos dam, with police making traffic arrangements for visitors who want to enjoy the view.

Police issued a statement on Friday, following consultations with the Water Development Department, warming the public that the road above the dam will remain closed to all traffic including street vendors.

Cars will have access to the Asprokremos water dam through the old Paphos-Limassol road, while private vehicles can access the dam only from the west side through the Kseros Potamos bridge. Buses and oversized vehicles only can access the dam from the east side through Nikokleias street.

Street vendors will be asked to set shop off the road as long as they do not block traffic.

The added measures are required by law and will remain in place throughout the entire overflow until the release of excess water at Asprokremos is over.

Speculation rampant on social media

Overflow spectacles are a long-standing tradition for families in Cyprus, who rush to see the awesome view and have a fun day. Speculation was already rampant on social media as to when the dam will overflow, with many social media users giving it only a few days.

Asprokremos dam is the second largest dam in the Republic of Cyprus, after the Kourris dam in Limassol. Asprokremos is built at an altitude of about 100m above sea level and is located 16 kilometres east of Paphos.

Overflow at Asprokremos is a rare event due to poor rainfall in the area, but high levels of precipitation recently managed to reach total capacity of over 52 million cubic metres.