Water cuts loom despite latest rain

WATER CUTS may be implemented if there is not enough rainfall over the next few weeks, the Agriculture Minister warned yesterday.

“We need an extra ten million cubic metres of water and we only received two million in January,” Fotis Fotiou explained.

He added that dam capacity would be examined before a decision was made.
“We may have to cut water but we’ll do whatever we can to avoid this by looking at other possible measures.”

A senior technician at the Water Development Department explained that dams currently contained currently 25.3 million cubic metres of water, which is 9.3 per cent of storage capacity.

Phedros Roussis said this was the lowest figure since 1987.

“At the same stage last February, we had 65.2 million cubic metres, or 23.8 per cent of capacity.”

He added that yesterday’s heavy rainfall had not really helped the situation. “What we really need to see in order to make a difference is several continuous days of very heavy rain, in the region of 60 to 70mm daily.”

Loizos Stefanou of the Meteorological Services said that the current unsettled weather was due to last until Wednesday, with increased cloud bringing more rain and snow on higher ground.

“Temperatures will remain normal for the time of year,” he added.

Heavy hailstorms were also reported yesterday in several areas and in Kornos, eyewitnesses said huge stones had accumulated in the streets.

Police spokesman Costas Panayi warned drivers to be extra careful. “The Kakopetria-Pinewood-Pedoula, Pedoula-Prodromos and Prodromos-Troodos roads as well as several stretches of motorway are pretty hazardous,” he said. “Motorists should drive slowly with lights on, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and not perform any dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.”

Roads on the highest ground were only accessible to vehicles equipped with snow chains or four-wheel drive.

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