**Larnaca, Cyprus** – A critical flood control initiative in the Kamares area of Larnaca is progressing at an accelerated pace, offering a tangible solution to persistent inundation issues that have plagued the region for years. With an anticipated completion date of 2027, the project, a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Larnaca district government in conjunction with the Larnaca Sewerage Board and the local municipalities of Larnaca and Aradippou, is poised to significantly mitigate flood risks for thousands of residents.
The impetus for this substantial infrastructure undertaking stems from the devastating floods of late 2014, which inflicted considerable damage upon homes and businesses throughout the Kamares district. This event underscored the urgent need for robust flood management strategies, prompting the Larnaca district government chief, Angelos Hadjicharalambous, to reaffirm the project's critical importance. “The Kamares flood control project, due for completion in 2027, will largely resolve the area’s long-standing flooding problems,” Hadjicharalambous stated, highlighting the transformative potential of the works. However, he also tempered expectations with a note of caution, acknowledging that even with extensive improvements, the unpredictable nature of severe storms means absolute certainty remains elusive: "No matter how many projects have been carried out in Larnaca – and there have been a lot of rainwater projects – we cannot say with certainty that the problem of 2014 will not be repeated."
At the heart of the current construction phase is a comprehensive overhaul of the existing Kamares flood control channel. This involves not only widening and deepening the primary conduit to enhance its capacity for managing larger volumes of water but also integrating adjacent rainwater networks. This interconnected approach ensures that surface runoff from a broader area can be efficiently channelled away from residential zones, even during periods of extreme rainfall that might otherwise overwhelm conventional drainage systems.
Significant upstream works are currently underway, particularly along Dryadon Street, which are crucial for the project's overall efficacy. These include the demolition of an outdated concrete-lined channel and the construction of a new, lower-level open rectangular concrete channel designed for superior water flow. Furthermore, existing earthen channels in the upstream sections of the Kalo Chorio river basin are being meticulously adapted to complement the new infrastructure. These measures are designed to facilitate the rapid drainage of substantial water volumes, thereby minimising the threat of flash floods that have historically impacted the municipalities of Larnaca and Aradippou.
The estimated cost for this multifaceted project stands at approximately €7 million. Looking ahead, a subsequent phase is already being planned for the Vergina area, a rapidly expanding district within the Aradippou municipality that also faces considerable flood vulnerability. Securing central government funding for this future expansion is a priority for the Larnaca district authorities, signifying their commitment to a holistic approach to flood defence across the region. The accelerated progress observed on the ground suggests that the project may even be concluded ahead of its 2027 deadline, bringing much-needed security and peace of mind to residents who have long endured the unpredictable menace of severe flooding.