In the face of a once-in-a-century drought, Cyprus is calling on its residents to conserve water. The Mediterranean island is experiencing its worst water crisis in living memory, with dam inflows at their lowest since 1901. The authorities have urged residents to cut their water usage by 10%, which is equivalent to two minutes of running water each day. This appeal comes as reservoirs reach record lows, with little hope of replenishment before the tourist season begins. The situation is dire, with vast tracts of land parched and prime forest areas dying fast. As other parts of Europe have been battered by rain this winter, the church of St Nicholas in the Kouris reservoir, where water levels have dropped to just 12.2% of capacity, serves as a stark reminder of the worsening crisis. The situation could get worse in the EU member state with the highest water stress levels, where temperatures are rising 20% faster than the global average. The soaring demand for water has intensified the island's plight, with annual rainfall down 15% since 1901 and water needs up 300% due to population growth and tourism. Three million tourists visit the war-split country's internationally recognized south each year. To address the crisis, the government is implementing a public awareness campaign aimed at saving water. Guidelines and a campaign will educate people on the appropriate amount of water to use in household activities, such as showering. The drive will also supplement other measures, including wastewater reuse and fixing water leakages, which are prevalent in up to 40% of local networks. Households will receive financial support to invest in water-saving tap appliances. However, criticism is mounting, with some arguing that the right measures were not taken at the right time. The situation is explosive, with farmers, the hardest hit by the measures, ordered to reduce irrigation by 30%. The crisis has sparked debate and concern, with some questioning the effectiveness of the government's response and others highlighting the need for urgent action to protect the environment and secure food supplies.
