Two more desalination plants under consideration
Fact: Construction of two new desalination plants in Limassol and Famagusta is under review due to prevailing drought conditions and water shortage fears.
rainfall
Cyprus faces water shortage as reservoirs reach critical levels
Cyprus is facing a severe water shortage with reservoir levels at a record low. The lack of rainfall has left many dams below average capacity, with the largest dam, Kouris, holding only 41.9 million cubic meters of water compared to 61 million last year. Overall, national water storage is at just 42.1% of capacity, down from 65.6% last year. The situation is expected to worsen as temperatures rise in the approaching summer months.
Irrigation water reduced by 33% due to drought
The Water Development Department has reduced irrigation water by 33% compared to last year due to drought and poor water conditions. The remaining water is allocated for irrigation, with the drinking water sector fully satisfied at 100%. Farmers were informed in advance about the reduced quantities and must plan accordingly. Dam capacity is at 42.1%, and if conditions remain the same, there may be a problem with water supply next summer. The Department is promoting efficient water use in agriculture with practical tips for irrigation during drought conditions.
Pakistan temperatures cross 52 C in heatwave
Temperatures in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh rose above 52 degrees Celsius, the highest reading of the summer and close to the country’s record high.
Cyprus has best bathing water quality in EU
Cyprus has the best bathing water quality in Europe, with 97.6% of its sites rated as excellent in 2023. Coastal waters generally have better quality than inland waters, but ongoing pollution challenges persist due to urban wastewater and agricultural runoff. Austria, Croatia, and Greece also have high-quality bathing waters, while countries like Albania, Belgium, Estonia, Hungary, and Poland lag behind. The report emphasizes the need for improved pollution management to address poor-quality waters and identifies climate change as a potential threat to water quality in Europe. Legislative measures such as the Bathing Water Directive and the Water Framework Directive are in place to protect water quality, but continued vigilance and adaptation are necessary to preserve it.
Nicosia in top five European cities for coffee lovers
Nicosia is ranked as the fifth-best city in Europe for coffee lovers, with the most hours of sunshine and the least amount of rainfall over the summer months.
Drivers beware: heavy rainfall on the Nicosia – Larnaca highway
There is heavy rainfall on the Nicosia – Larnaca highway (Lympia area), so the Police are urging drivers to be extra cautious.
Death toll from floods in Brazil hits 113 as rain returns
The death toll from historic floods in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul reached 113, with 146 people still unaccounted for.
Airlines scramble to change routes after Israeli attack on Iran
Fact: Airlines quickly changed flight paths over Iran, diverted to alternate airports, or returned planes to their departure points in response to airspace and airport closures after an Israeli attack on Iran.
Easter food spending lifts UK retail sales by most since August
An early Easter boosted food spending in Britain last month, lifting retail sales by the most since August.