Cyprus’s reservoirs were sitting at just 39.3 per cent capacity as of September 1, new figures reveal — with a total of 117.9 million cubic metres of water stored across the island’s 21 dams, out of a maximum combined capacity of 300 million cubic metres.
The data, published on the website of the Water Development Department, shows a dramatic improvement on last year’s figures — but experts are cautioning that there is still no room for complacency.
At the same point last September, dam levels stood at a mere 15.5 per cent, with just 46.4 million cubic metres in storage — meaning this year’s levels are more than double what they were 12 months ago.
However, officials have sounded a note of caution, pointing out that over the past three months — a period when soaring temperatures cause evaporation rates to spike — total water levels have already dropped by 7 million cubic metres.
For context, the figures remain far below the levels seen in September 2022, the best hydrological year on record over the past five years according to Water Development Department data, when dams were a healthy 76 per cent full.
Which dams are thriving — and which are in crisis?
Four of Cyprus’s 21 dams are rated ‘excellent’, boasting capacity levels above 85 per cent. Leading the pack is the Kalopanagiotis dam — the smallest on the island — which is completely full at 100 per cent. Close behind are Kannaviou… sorry, Kliro-Malounta-Akakiou at 89.7 per cent, Solea at 88 per cent, and Tamassos at 86 per cent.
A further three dams fall into the ‘good’ category, with levels between 68 and 85 per cent: Xyliatos (82 per cent), Vyzakia (79 per cent) and Pomos (70 per cent).
Four more are classed as ‘moderate’, sitting between 51 and 68 per cent capacity: Agia Marina Chrysochous (59 per cent), Arminou (58 per cent), Argaka (56 per cent) and Germasogeia (52 per cent).
Meanwhile, six dams remain at ‘low’ levels, between 35 and 51 per cent: Kannaviou (45 per cent), Polemidia (44 per cent), Evretou (42 per cent), Kouris and Mavrokolympos (39 per cent each), and Asprokremmos (38 per cent).
But it’s the bottom of the table that will cause the most concern. Four dams have plunged into ‘critical’ territory — below 35 per cent capacity. Dipotamos sits at 29 per cent, Kalavasos at 23 per cent, and Lefkara at just 18 per cent — while the Achna dam is almost bone dry, languishing at a shocking 1 per cent.
