Nicosia: Significant rainfall brought by the storm 'Erminio' has boosted water inflows into Cyprus dams, with nearly 1.9 million cubic metres recorded over the past two days, according to the Water Development Department (WDD).
According to Cyprus News Agency, WDD Senior Officer Marios Hadjicostis stated that total dam storage currently stands at 93.5 million cubic metres, corresponding to 32.2% of the overall capacity. He added that inflows remain at satisfactory levels and are expected to continue, noting that recent rainfall has yet to fully reach the dams in order to be measured.
Hadjicostis expressed optimism that daily inflows of around one million cubic metres could follow in the coming days. If rainfall continues into next week, total storage could surpass 100 million cubic metres, exceeding 35% of capacity.
Meanwhile, the 'Erminio' system, which has been affecting Cyprus since Wednesday afternoon with beneficial rainfall, is gradually weakening and will give way to a dust episode, expected to last until Saturday afternoon, Meteorological Officer Michalis Mouskos told CNA.
Mouskos said weather conditions in the coming days through Orthodox Easter Tuesday are expected to remain relatively unsettled, with intermittent showers and temperatures slightly below seasonal averages. A yellow weather warning issued on Wednesday expired at 11:00 local time on Thursday and has not been renewed.
'The main feature of today's weather is dust moving in from the west,' Mouskos said, adding that isolated showers are still expected, mainly in eastern areas. He noted that while the current dust episode is expected to ease later in the evening, a new wave will arrive early on Friday morning, leading to significantly elevated dust concentrations across many parts of the island until Saturday afternoon.
Isolated showers are also forecast for Friday, with a chance of thunderstorms in mountainous and inland areas. Temperatures are expected to reach around 19°C inland and 18°C along the coast, below the seasonal averages of 22°C inland and 20-21°C on the coast.
Erminio has delivered notable rainfall totals across the island, including 49 mm in Platania, 36 mm in Agros, 40 mm in Kyperounta, 38 mm in Lefkara, and 30 mm in Kornos. Looking ahead, scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms are expected on Saturday, with increased instability on Sunday, particularly during midday and afternoon hours. Similar unsettled conditions are forecast for Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday, with temperatures remaining slightly below average.