CYPRUS: Cyprus is in the midst of a water crisis after four years of drought and lack of rainfall that has left reservoirs empty

Cyprus is in the midst of a water crisis after four years of drought and lack of rainfall that has left reservoirs empty. The sunbaked earth crunches in the desolately empty pit of the Kouris reservoir, a stark testament to climate change and an unprecedented water crisis facing Cyprus. Under relentless sunshine, the small pool of water swirling at the bottom of Cyprus's largest reservoir is shrinking by the day. As the main source of surface water to most of Cyprus, it will, without rain, run dry by the end of the year. "The shortage problem of water became very serious because the dams are already empty," says Vlassis Partassides, head of water management at Cyprus's water development department. "We are afraid in the future we are going to face more serious problems with the increase of the temperature and the drought. And we are planning to take serious measures to face this particular problem." With reservoirs less than nine percent full, residents of this east Mediterranean island are bracing themselves for another dry winter. Two water desalination plants are running at full capacity, but it is not enough. Contingency planning includes drilling to tap precious underground water deposits, further cuts to agriculture, and a new desalination unit which will come on stream next July. With one of the highest concentrations of reservoirs in the world, Cyprus is no stranger to water shortages. But while hydrologists factored in periods of inevitable drought, it can do little to interrupt climate change. Since 1972, rainfall has fallen by 20 percent, but the actual runoff is double that, at 40 percent, because of an increase in temperatures. In the past century, temperatures in Cyprus have risen by almost 1.0 degree centigrade, and rainfall has fallen by 80 millimetres, a staggering amount by meteorological standards. "These extreme effects are, seem to be, the results of the climate change patterns. We have clear evidence that the rainfall pattern in Cyprus gradually has a falling rate. In the last 100 years the rainfall in Cyprus documentation is reduced by about 80 millimetres," said Dr Costas Papastavros, head of Cyprus's environmental service and the island's national climate change unit. "The impact could harm, seriously, the social, economic, and environmental background of the island. For example desertification is getting a serious problem, it's not only we don't have water in dams to irrigate in farms or use water in other industrial uses, when we say desertification we mean the falling productivity of the soil. And we have a tremendous problem at this time," he added. Brimming with water until three years ago, the chalky slopes of Kouris are scrubbed bare of vegetation because they are normally submerged in water. Juggling demand is an exercise in maths, and the figures do not add up. From now until the end of the year, Cyprus will require 5.0 million cubic metres of water. Kouris, the primary source of a pipeline feeding the districts of capital Nicosia, and the southern districts of Limassol and Larnaca, now holds 3.23 million tonnes, and is 2.3 percent full. Demands from Nicosia and Larnaca can be met by desalination, supplying up to 45 percent of needs. Limassol, a sprawling port town in the south, is left at the whims of the weather, cuts to irrigation, and the tapping of acquifers. An emergency desalination unit there will be up and running next summer, leaving authorities in a bind what to do from January onwards. Hydrologists say that even in the worst periods of drought, there has been an inflow to reservoirs. Partassides said however small the rainfall there will be some water to cover the needs of Limassol. Authorities acknowledge that desalination from the sea is not an ideal choice, but it has saved Cyprus before. Partassides said they are aware of the consequences of desalination, that it is energy consuming and causes greenhouse emissions Cyprus has to pay fines for, but it is necessary. Papastavros says the situation is unlikely to get better without radical changes to water management and drier farming practices. Ultimately, he said, Cyprus will need to get used to life under global warming. Cyprus residents are fully aware of the problem and are concerned. Some say the people themselves need to take some of the responsibility after wasting so much water, and the government should take stricter measures to force people to use less in everyday domestic use. "A lot of people waste water, for their houses, and their cars, for everything, especially people in their houses to clean. I believe the government should do something more drastic at least. They cant bring rain but they can do something to save water. And also, pray. We need to pray for the water because it's big, big problem and I am really worried," said resident Kalliope Asikidi.

ITN Source | November 22, 2007

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