Hope as Small Dams Overflow But Crisis Remains (Videos)

Total dam capacity is now at over 14%, still dramatically low across major Cyprus reservoirs.

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Pomos dam overflows, bringing relief to local farmers.

 

The small Pomos dam in Paphos has overflown its banks to the joy of locals, in what is one of several feelgood stories across limited capacity reservoirs, not enough to significantly affect the water shortage crisis, as the government has launched a 'save water' awareness campaign.

Major dams are in a bad state, according to the latest Water Development Board data, but at least there is a positive move in the smaller ones, providing precious irrigation sources for local farmers.

The Pomos dam, at 859 thousand cubic metres capacity filled up at dawn following significant, continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours in the Paphos district.

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Pomos is a life saver for farmers in the wider region, as 'it provides water for greenhouses, permanent tree cultivations and vegetable plantations', Polis Chrysochous deputy mayor Andreas Dionysiou told 'Politis.'

More of the feelgood same on the outskirts of Nicosia, at the Klirou dam, with increasing rainfall raising capacity levels.

Torrents awaken

Steady rain yesterday led to the happy awakening of dry torrents and created small cascades across many areas, with people posting numerous videos on social media.

 

Total dam capacity at 14.1%

That's where the good stories end, as numbers don't lie and according to the latest data, capacity was at 14.1% yesterday in comparison to 26% during the same period last year.

This translates to 41 millon cubic metres of water in all dams, with total possible capacity at 290 million. Last year's number was 75 million.

As of October 1st, flow was just 19 million cubic metres in a disappointingly dry autumn with only a slightly better winter.

Kourris, the country's largest dam is at 12.6% of capacity, containing 14.5 million against its possible 115 total.

Asprokremmos, the second biggest was at 52 million cubic metres of water, a 12,9% capacity, while Evretou, rounding up the top three, was at almost 20% capacity.

 

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