“Fast of the Flood” with a lack of water. All because of drought

The EU Copernicus Earth Monitoring Center has released satellite photos of the AsproKremmos retention reservoir in the southwestern part of Cyprus. Pictures made on June 6, 2024 and June 3, 2025 show a significant reduction in surface water range. The pictures also show that the tank is currently shallower, and the surrounding fields seem much dry.

According to Philenews.com, this is not the only tank affected by drought. Water levels on 108 dams on the island have been critically low. Officials warn that the cities of Limassol and Pafos already have difficulty satisfying the daily demand for drinking water, and if the drought will persist, in 2026 there may be breaks in water supply.

Due to the shrinking water resources in Cyprus, the Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayotou appealed to local government organizations and municipal authorities to monitor water consumption during Pentecost, which this year is celebrated in Cyprus on June 7-9. The celebration is traditionally accompanied by battles for water and other games related to its use. Most of them take place on Monday after Pentecost, in the cataclysmos, which means “Festival of the Flood”.

Panayotou did not call for a total ban on celebration, but asked for responsible celebration and informing citizens about the need to avoid actions that can lead to unjustified water consumption.

Economical use of water can be difficult due to weather conditions. There is a wave of heat on the island, bringing temperatures to 38 degrees Celsius in central regions. According to forecasts, the heat will stay at least until Friday.