A powerful storm named Byron hit Cyprus last weekend. It brought very heavy rain that greatly helped the island's water supplies. However, the storm also caused serious flooding and problems, especially in the western area of Paphos.
The storm began on Saturday, with the worst weather from Friday until Monday morning. Because of this, authorities issued a yellow weather warning for dangerous conditions. The rain was a very welcome change after a long dry period. Official data shows that this storm delivered the largest amount of water to the country's reservoirs so far this year. The total water added was about 476,000 cubic meters. This raised the water level in all dams to 9.4% of their total capacity. Dams like Mavrokolympos, Kouris, and Polemidia received the most water. This is good news for farmers and nature, and it even made a seasonal waterfall near the Agios Neophytos Monastery flow again.
Unfortunately, the heavy rain quickly showed its other, more dangerous side. The area of Polis Chrysochous was most affected. On Sunday, continuous downpours led to severe floods. Water filled basements and forced the closure of important roads. City workers and fire service teams worked hard to manage the situation. They cleared away debris and fallen trees that were blocking streets.
The mayor of Polis Chrysochous, Giotis Papachristofi, said that most of the big problems have now been fixed. He thanked everyone for their collective effort. However, he warned that the situation is still changing. Town crews are continuing to work to protect homes and return life to normal.
The storm also had an environmental impact. A lot of rainwater, which carried pollution from streets, flowed directly into the sea. This has raised concerns about marine pollution. Although the immediate flood risk is now lower, weather services kept a yellow warning in place for days afterwards. They predicted more unstable weather, including possible thunderstorms and strong winds.
In the end, Storm Byron showed the double effect of such weather in the Mediterranean. The water it brought is a very important resource for Cyprus. Yet, the flooding also revealed how infrastructure can struggle with extreme weather, reminding people of the need to prepare for future climate challenges.