Seventy one per cent of the average amount of rainfall for January had fallen by Tuesday morning, with Athalassa in the capital recording the highest downpour of 22.4mm, the Met office said.

Next was Xylotympou with 17.8mm of rain, Polis Chrysochous (17.5mm), and Athienou (14.5mm). The total average rainfall was 5.5mm.

During the month so far, Frenaros recorded 145mm total rainfall (239 per cent of normal), followed by Platania with 132mm (70 per cent above normal) and Larnaca airport with 118mm (175 per cent).