Cyprus in line for water cuts
Authorities in Cyprus met yesterday to discuss the possibility of cutting household water use because of an unusually dry winter which has left reserves very low. The island’s water reservoirs are at 22 percent of capacity whereas this time last year they were almost half-full, Agence France-Press reported. This December has been the second driest in the country’s history. Agriculture Minister Fotis Fotiou chaired a meeting aimed at suggesting ways of tackling the drought if it continues next month. «If the situation continues we may have to make cuts to potable water… we must conserve this precious resource,» said Fotiou, adding that December rainfall usually accounts for 25 percent of Cypriot water reserves. Earlier this year, water in Greece’s reservoirs reached a record level of 1.4 billion cubic meters with excess water being channeled into lakes. Cypriot authorities are due to meet again in January to assess the situation on the island.
