Amid a once-in-a-century drought, Cyprus is facing a critical water crisis, prompting authorities to urge residents to cut water use by 10%. This equates to a daily reduction of two minutes of running water usage. The call to action comes as reservoirs reach record lows, with little hope of replenishment before the tourist season begins. The Mediterranean island's water development department emphasizes the urgency, stating that every drop counts. The current drought is the worst in living memory, with dam inflows at their lowest since 1901, when hydrological records began. This has led to vast land areas drying up, including prime forest regions. The stark contrast between the drought-stricken Cyprus and the rainy winter in other parts of Europe highlights the severity of the crisis. The country's largest reservoir, Kouris, has water levels at just 12.2% capacity, and if full, the St. Nicholas church would be submerged, symbolizing the scale of the emergency. Water reserves in February are at 13.7% of total storage capacity, a significant decline from 26% last year. The situation is expected to worsen, as temperatures in the region are rising 20% faster than the global average due to climate change, putting severe pressure on freshwater resources. The island's plight is exacerbated by soaring demand, with annual rainfall down 15% since 1901 and water needs up 300% due to population growth and tourism. Cyprus welcomes three million tourists annually to its internationally recognized south, nearly three times the resident population. To address the crisis, a public awareness campaign will be launched, aiming to reduce water consumption to around 140 liters per person per day. Measures include wastewater reuse, fixing water leakages in up to 40% of local networks, and providing financial support for water-saving tap appliances. This emergency package is the sixth to be announced, with Cyprus prioritizing water scarcity as part of its EU presidency and allocating €200 million to infrastructure improvements, including desalination plants. However, criticism mounts, with some arguing that the right measures were not taken at the right time. The focus on desalination plants is seen as costly and risky, requiring significant energy and potentially harming marine life if not properly dispersed. Critics also highlight the need to reduce water demand earlier, citing public spaces covered in grass and numerous swimming pools and golf courses as examples of wasteful practices. Farmers, the hardest hit, have been ordered to reduce irrigation by 30%, causing distress and depression. The situation underscores the urgency of taking essential measures now, as a worst-case climate scenario cannot be ruled out in the coming decades, according to experts.
