Fixing the fault at Mavrokolympos dam is “extremely difficult”, the Water Development Department said on Monday evening, explaining that the problem was at a point inaccessible while the reservoir was still in operation.

The leak, it said, was due to a failure of the dam’s discharge tunnel vent.

It added that efforts were being made to stop the leak and avoid having to drain the whole reservoir.

Specialists visited Mavrokolympos on Monday to find the cause of the leak and determine the safety of the dam.

The department said the water supply for irrigation was continuing according to the schedule.

It also called on the public to avoid visiting the area and to follow instructions by the police.

The potential loss of 1.3 million cubic metres of water from the Mavrokolympos near Paphos remains a real threat following a leak detected on Sunday, according to Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou.

Speaking during an on-site visit, the minister acknowledged the gravity of the situation, emphasising that a full assessment would be made later in the day to determine the exact cause of the leak.

The government has moved quickly, dispatching expert teams and special equipment to the dam to help identify the source of the leak. Panayiotou stated that the immediate priority is to limit water loss while ensuring the safety of workers and residents in the vicinity.

“The leak was first spotted by a member of the water development department yesterday afternoon [Sunday]. Swift action was taken to ensure there was no danger to human lives,” she said.

Roads around the area have been closed, and local authorities, including the police and civil defence, have been working to contain any potential hazards.

Mavrokolympos dam after the leak (Donnacha Curley)

Panayiotou noted that the issue of dam safety has been a top priority since she took office. She revealed that the dam safety unit, previously understaffed, has been reinforced with a team of five professionals since March 2024, and further recruitment efforts are underway.

Cyprus, Panayiotou pointed out, has one of the highest numbers of dams per capita in the world.
“Given this, the current staffing levels are insufficient, and we are actively working to expand the team to ensure the safety and proper management of these critical resources.”

Despite the urgency of the situation, the minister reassured the public that the primary focus remains on identifying and resolving the leak as quickly as possible to prevent further loss of irrigation water.

Panayiotou also highlighted the broader issue of water scarcity, particularly following two years of severe drought. The government’s 28-action programme, which aims to address water shortages, was recently updated and will play a key role in mitigating future crises. She urged both the public and authorities to remain vigilant, warning that Cyprus faces a challenging summer ahead in terms of water management.

In response to concerns that the issue may only be resolved once the dam empties, leading to a loss of 1.3 million cubic metres of water, Panayiotou confirmed that this is a genuine risk but reiterated that efforts are underway to limit the damage as much as possible.

“Water conservation remains critical. We must all do our part, from the government down to every individual,” she said.

“We are working collectively to ensure we can meet the challenges of this summer.”

Photo source: CNA

The Mavrokolympos reservoir has a capacity of 2.18 million cubic meters, diverted from the Mavrokolympos River. The dam was constructed in 1966 to serve banana plantations in the Kissonerga-Peyia area.