THERE was a host of meetings yesterday as different departments looked at possible ways of dealing with the horrific consequences of Monday’s disaster at Vassiliko.
The primary objective of the authorities is to find stop-gap solutions for the immediate problems created, such as the 40-per cent reduction of the power output at the hottest time of the year and the peak of the tourist season, when demand for electricity is at the highest level.
Then we have the issue of water rationing, which is set to return, because there will not be enough electricity to power all the desalination plants. Two of them were shut down on Monday, but there is a possibility that the other plants will operate at night when demand for electricity is lower. Technocrats will decide how to manage resources, but the truth is that we are all accustomed to living with water cuts.
Power cuts, on the other hand, are much more difficult to cope with. The Electricity Authority could limit the inconvenience by announcing, at least a day in advance, at what time each district would have power cuts. This would allow households and businesses to plan their activities, rather than sitting waiting for the cuts.
Police would then be able to assign officers to direct traffic at the busiest intersections, after traffic lights have gone off. There was chaos on some streets yesterday when the traffic lights were not working. Police need to take charge of busy intersections left without working lights during rush-hour, so that accidents can be avoided.
It may be a trivial concern, compared to the magnitude of the other problems we will face over the next few months, but it is essential for the authorities to give the impression that a difficult situation is under control. This is why it is important for the Electricity Authority to give advance warnings about the power cuts and ditto the Water Board. People would respond more positively to the inconveniences in store, if they were kept informed, and would be subsequently more inclined to save water and electricity.
Government efforts to secure power generators is also a good idea because the two operating power stations are old and might not be able to cope with working at full capacity for the next six months. We may have to pay more for our electricity, but the country cannot afford not to have some form of back-up in the event that something goes wrong at Dhekelia or Moni.
A general emergency plan needs to be put together, backed by campaigns for energy and water conservation so that we can cope with the very difficult months ahead.
