By Constantinos Psillides
Lower than average temperatures and heavy rainfall are expected on Thursday and Friday after the soaking the island received on Tuesday, according to the Weather Service.
The Weather Service said temperatures will fall to around 24 degrees Celsius, 3 degrees lower than the average May temperature.
Cyprus is currently being affected by a low-pressure centre moving through the region, which was responsible for the rain on Tuesday weather. It is expected to move away from the island by Saturday, with weather conditions improving.
According to the department, rainfall on Tuesday registered 6.3mm, which is equal to 30 per cent of the rainfall for May. “It was a very pleasant surprise. Late spring showers are always welcome,” said an official.
The rain caused no major problems, according to the police.
Although inconvenient, the island has good reason to be thankful for the late spring rain. Up to now the 2013-2014 water year (a water year begins at the start of September) was shaping up to be the worst since 1901.
According to the Water Development Department’s Faidros Roussis, droughts in Cyprus usually last for two to three years. “If the drought goes on, we will be faced with some tough decisions next year or two years from now,” Roussis said.
Despite the lack of rainfall the dams are almost half full, at 48 per cent capacity. Dam capacity is still at a high level due to excellent rainfall over the previous two years.
Cyprus faced acute water shortages due to persistent droughts in 2008, as a result of which the government had to impose extended water cuts and import water from Greece to alleviate the problem.
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