Droushia deputy mayor Sotiris Koupparis highlighted the challenges banana farmers face due to water shortages, noting that the full impact remains unassessed. Despite recent rainfall, Cyprus' reservoirs are only a quarter full. Areas served by the Mavrokolympos dam also rely on the Paphos district irrigation system linked to the Asprokremmos reservoir, though available water quantities "will be small."
Koupparis anticipates dam repairs to take up to five months, with no repair method decided yet. The loss of approximately 1.4 million cubic meters of water and the absence of a mobile desalination plan have increased farmers' concerns. Koupparis stated that banana trees need constant hydration, warning of a potential shortage of Cypriot bananas if water needs are unmet. Following discussions with traders, he cautioned that banana prices may rise for wholesalers and consumers.
Financial support will be sought, and banana plantations require 1,200 to 1,500 tons of water annually. With dry weather expected in the next 20 days, farmers request adequate water supplies to maintain their crops.
The Mavrokolympos dam's depletion exacerbates the Paphos district's water issues, with regional reservoirs averaging just a quarter full. This January marked Cyprus' driest since 1997. A recent fire destroyed a desalination plant between Mandria and Kouklia, further straining the district's water resources.
Paphos district governor Charalambos Pittokopitis called for the construction of two new dams to mitigate future droughts.
Source: Cyprus Mail