Water levels at their highest this decade

Water levels in the reservoirs are at their highest level this decade, with the Asprokremmos dam in the Paphos region the latest to be poised to overflow.

The latest reports say it is now 98.9 per cent filled to capacity, while island wide nearly 80 per cent of reservoirs, 77.1 to be precise, were filled with water on Monday.

Since October 2018, 196,364 million cubic metres of water have flowed into the reservoirs, beating 2011-2012, which saw 191,754mcm accumulate in the reservoirs.

Preparations for the overflow of the Asprokremmos dam have been in the making for days.

On Thursday, safety measures for those wanting to visit the reservoir were published. The dam overflowed in 2012 and it is expected that thousands will visit the area once it happens again.

The road above the reservoir has been closed to all vehicles from February 28 and will remain closed for as long as the dam overflows so that pedestrians can move about safely. Vehicles will be diverted to the old Paphos-Limassol road.

Access to the reservoir by private vehicle will be allowed only from the western side (Xeros Potamos bridge), while access by bus and other large vehicles will be permitted only from the east side (Nikoklia road).