Cyprus sees fourth heaviest rainy season since 1901

The rainy season of 2018-2019 is the fourth heaviest since 1901, with reservoirs in south and north Cyprus expected to continue to fill until the end of April even without additional rainfall.

According to met office statistics, a total of 481.5mm of rainfall was recorded in the period October-January, with the highest figure of 197.3mm of rainfall recorded in January.

This figure greatly surpasses the rainfall levels recorded in 2017-18, which saw a total of 275.1mm of rain.

Record rain seasons since 1901 were those of 1968-69 (614.4mm of rainfall), 1929-30 (492.4mm), and 1911-12 (483.7mm).

By Monday, a total of 111.3mm of rainfall was recorded in the month of February, raising total rainfall since October 1 to 592.8mm, suggesting that this rainy season could rise to the second heaviest since 1901.

The heaviest rainfall since the beginning of February was recorded in Xylotymbou, which saw 162.6mm, corresponding to 306 per cent of regular rainfall levels for the area.

Xylotymbou is followed by Kornos, which saw 155.33 of rainfall (213 per cent of regular levels), and Platania, where a total of 140mm of rainfall was recorded (95 per cent of regular levels).

The water development department announced that reservoir water inflow levels are steadily rising. By Monday, reservoirs island-wide held a total of over 45.2 million cubic metres, and were at an average capacity of 72.2 per cent.

During the current rainy season, a total of 12 reservoirs overflowed, including the large Yermasoyeia dam which is able to hold 13.4 million cubic metres of water.

The Kouris dam, the largest on the island, is at 62 per cent capacity, holding 42.2 million cubic metres of water, which the Asprokremmos dam is currently at 92.9 per cent capacity, holding 41.1 million cubic metres of water.

Cyprus Mail