In a dire situation, Cyprus is facing a once-in-a-century drought, prompting authorities to urge residents to cut water usage by 10%. This critical measure is equivalent to reducing daily running water usage by two minutes. The call to action comes as reservoirs reach record lows, with little hope of replenishment before the tourist season begins. Eliana Tofa Christidou, head of the country's water development department, emphasizes the urgency, stating that every drop counts. The Mediterranean island is experiencing its worst drought in living memory, with dam inflows at their lowest since 1901. Vast areas of land are parched, and prime forest areas are drying up rapidly. While other parts of Europe have been battered by rain this winter, the low water levels in the Kouris reservoir, where the church of St Nicholas is partially submerged, highlight the severity of the crisis. Water reserves in February stand at 13.7% of total storage capacity, compared to 26% this time last year. The situation could worsen in the EU member state with the highest water stress levels, as temperatures rise 20% faster than the global average due to climate change. Soaring demand has intensified the island's plight, with annual rainfall down 15% since 1901 and water needs up 300% due to population growth and tourism. Three million tourists visit the war-split country's internationally recognized south each year. A public awareness campaign will be launched to save water, aiming to reduce per capita consumption from 500 litres per day in some areas to around 140 litres per person per day. Measures include wastewater reuse, fixing water leakages, and providing financial support for water-saving tap appliances. Cyprus has made water scarcity a priority during its EU presidency and has allocated €200 million to improve infrastructure, including installing desalination plants. However, criticism mounts, with some questioning the timing and effectiveness of the measures. Farmers, the hardest hit, have been ordered to reduce irrigation by 30%, causing angst and depression. As the situation remains critical, experts emphasize the need for urgent action to avoid a worst-case climate scenario, where agriculture collapses, populations are forced to relocate, and food security is compromised.
