Authorities in Cyprus have urged residents to reduce their water intake by 10% – the equivalent of two minutes’ use of running water each day – as Europe’s most south-easterly nation grapples with a once-in-a century drought. “Everyone has to reduce their consumption,” said Eliana Tofa Christidou, who heads the country’s water development department. View image in fullscreen St Nicholas church in the Kouris reservoir, August 2025. View image in fullscreen The Kouris dam in September 2025, as Cyprus was experiencing a water shortage after record temperatures and no rain. We should have been finding ways, much earlier, to reduce water demand.

Source: The Guardian February 16, 2026 20:25 UTC