Kannaviou dam joins overflow bonanza

THE DAM at Kannaviou in Paphos was the latest to overflow early yesterday morning much to the delight of local residents.

The reservoir has the capacity to hold over 17 million cubic metres of water, and this was only the second time since it was built in 2006, that the dam has overflowed, according to Water Development Department District Engineer Vasos Socratous.

Kannaviou is the second highest-up dam in Cyprus and fourth largest in terms of capacity.  Socratous said that the dam at Evretou, also in Paphos is expected to overflow next.

Late on Thursday, Asprokremmos – the island’s second largest dam, overflowed for the first time in seven years. Locals turned out to celebrate, organsing food, and entertainment to witness the event.

Socratous said all the necessary measures had been taken to address any potential problems from overflowing dams this year, and that so far there had not been any adverse consequences from the overflows.

January has had the fourth largest amount of rain for the past 110 years, according to stats from the Meteorological Services. Officer Marios Theofilou said the rainfall had exceeded 211 mm, which means 206 per cent of the normal for this time of year.

The best January was in 2004 with 281 mm and the worst was in 1997 with just 12.3 mm.

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