Despite the floods and the havoc caused by the storm “Dawn” (Avgi) in Cyprus, its passage proved insufficient to change the low water level of reservoirs present this year.
The level seems to have stuck below half of its capacity, while overall fullness increased by only 1% after the recent rains and snow.
Last year, which was poor in rainfall, and the first months of this hydrological season, resulted in the level of the dams plummeting and the overall fullness reaching just 46.7% (it was 45.7% before “Dawn”), whereas last year at the same period it was at 67.2%.
According to the Department of Water Development data, the total capacity of the dams is 290 million cubic meters. Currently, there are 135.7 million cubic meters of water.
Kouris, the largest dam in Cyprus, is currently half-empty as it holds only 47.4 million cubic meters out of 115 million cubic meters, meaning it’s at 41.3% of its capacity.
One year ago, it was at 62.9%.
The dams of the Southern Conveyor (Kouris, Kalavasos, Lefkara, Diplotamos, Germasogeia, Arminou, Polemidia, and Achna) with a total capacity of 189.4 million cubic meters of water, are at 42.6%. Last year they were at 64.1% of their capacity.
The Paphos dams (Asprokremmos, Kannaviou, and Mavrokolymbos) with a capacity of 71.7 million cubic meters are at 55.6%.
Last year they were at 75.2% of their capacity.
The Chrysochous dams (Evretou, Argaka, Pomos, Agia Marina) with a capacity of 26.1 million cubic meters are at 51.4%. Last year they were at 66.9%.
The Nicosia dams (Vyzakia, Xyliatos, and Kalopanagiotis), with a capacity of 3.4 million cubic meters, are at 53%. Last year they were at 77%.
The least amount of water is stored in the Argaka dam, where the fullness is only 23.9%, whereas a year ago it was considerably higher at 48.3%.
Also, the Kalavasos dam has small amounts of water, 28.9% (from 61.1% last year), and Polemidia dam has 33.2% (from 52.2% last year).
Only the Kolopanagiotis dam is at its maximum capacity (100%), followed by the Lefkara dam at 62% of its capacity.
According to the Meteorological Service forecasts, the coming days are unlikely to reverse the situation of the dams as there are expected to be fewer rains and an increase in temperature.
Specifically, today initially expects local clouds and isolated showers, but gradually the weather will become clear.
The temperature will rise up to three degrees above normal. Tomorrow and Wednesday the weather will be mainly clear, while Thursday is expected to be cloudy.
