The Cabinet was briefed by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment about the extremely challenging situation we are facing and sought approval for the proposal she submitted regarding the distribution of water reserves by region and use.
The provision of water from government water projects was approved, with total quantities of 106 million cubic meters of water for drinking and 39.7 million cubic meters for irrigation for the year 2024.
Drinking water needs are fully covered.
However, it is noted that the quantity for irrigation is reduced by 33.7% compared to the corresponding amount of 59.9 million cubic meters consumed in 2023 and will be distributed in the following priority order based on the type of crops: permanent crops, greenhouses, seasonal crops, and green spaces.
In the briefing provided by the Minister to the Cabinet, it is noted that given the poor state due to low water reserves in dams, it was deemed appropriate for the water distribution scenario to be prepared earlier in the current hydrological year to allow for proper planning, especially regarding the approval of water irrigation consumption applications.
It is noted that if significant water inflows are recorded by the end of this year’s rainy season (April 2024), resulting in a 25% increase in water reserves in dams, the Distribution Scenario will be reassessed with the aim of allocating additional quantities for irrigation.
According to data from the Water Development Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, rainfall from 1/10/2023 to 1/2/2024 reached 238.9 millimeters, or 81% of normal.
By 1/2/2024, the total water inflow to major dams reached 11.8 million cubic meters, while the total reserves in major dams reached 135.5 million cubic meters, or 46.6% of their capacity.
It is noted that the Water Development Department proposed covering drinking water needs from government water projects by 100% and simultaneously covering irrigation needs to the extent allowed by water reserves in dams, maintaining the minimum necessary safety reserves to ensure adequacy for at least the next two years.
It is emphasized that if inflows remain at moderate levels and appropriate measures are not taken for the rational distribution of available water resources for all uses, the provision of drinking water, based on today’s water reserves, may be threatened in 2025 and 2026.
