Cyprus reports highest March dam inflows in a decade

Cyprus recorded 35 million cubic metres (MCM) of water inflows into reservoirs during March, marking the best performance in ten years. As of early April 2026, total reservoir reserves reached 31.5%, or 92 MCM, while the Southern Conveyor Project is at 26.4% capacity. Water Development Department (WDD) Director Iliana Tofa described the inflows as impressive but warned that overall storage remains low due to previous drought conditions and climate change. Authorities are now prioritizing infrastructure projects to reduce water losses within District Local Government Organisation (EOA) networks. Meanwhile, Charalambos Pittokopitis, President of EOA Paphos, announced an expansion of desalination capacity in Paphos, including units in Kouklia and Potima, and upgrades to the Asprokremmos dam refinery. Ministry of Agriculture official Andreas Gregoriou noted that while 73 MCM were recorded by the end of March compared to 18-19 MCM last year, the long-term water balance requires sustainable management and new desalination units. Some sources reported different total volume figures, citing up to 93.5 billion litres (roughly 93.5 MCM) and 32.2% capacity, emphasizing regional variations such as full reservoirs in the Nicosia district.