Cyprus appeals to residents to cut water use by two minutes a day amid drought

February 17, 2026

TL;DR

Cyprus is urging residents to reduce water intake by 10% due to a severe drought.
Reservoirs have hit record lows, with dam inflows at their lowest since 1901.
An emergency package of €31m has been announced, including wastewater reuse and fixing leaks.
Temperatures in the region are rising 20% faster than the global average.
Annual rainfall has dropped 15% since 1901, while water needs have increased by 300%.
A public awareness campaign will aim to reduce per capita water consumption.
The government is scrambling to install desalination plants, with a goal of 14 units in operation.
Critics point to a lack of timely measures and the continued use of water-intensive public spaces like golf courses.
Farmers are ordered to reduce irrigation by 30%, causing significant hardship.
Experts warn of a worst-case climate scenario leading to agricultural collapse and mass population transfer.

Continue reading the original article