Cyprus approves €168 million plan to address critical water shortage

Cyprus is experiencing its fourth consecutive year of drought, with reservoir water levels dropping to between 13% and 13.7% of total capacity. As of February 9, 2024, reservoirs held 39.9 million cubic meters of water, down from 26% during the same period last year. The government has approved a sixth emergency package worth €168 million to expand desalination production, modernize infrastructure, and fund water-saving devices. Domestic water supplies will be cut by 10% in 2026, while irrigation for agriculture will be reduced by 33%, from 33 million to 22 million cubic meters. High priority for remaining water will be given to greenhouses and perennial crops. Data shows that inflow since October 1 has been only 16 million cubic meters, marking the 2024–2025 season as one of the eight driest since 1902. The severity of the crisis is illustrated by the complete emergence of the submerged Church of Saint Nicholas in the Kouris Reservoir near Alassa. Experts warned that water inflow typically ceases in March, suggesting current levels may be the annual peak.