Minister calls for water conservation during Pentecost celebrations
Source: in-cyprus.com
Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou has urged citizens to exercise restraint when celebrating the traditional Pentecost (Kataklysmos) celebrations, warning that the island’s water resources are stretched thin during an ongoing drought.
In a letter sent to the District Local Government Organisations, the Union of Municipalities and the Union of Communities ahead of the Pentecost celebrations, Panayiotou emphasised that “it is deemed necessary to strengthen efforts for the protection and rational management of available water resources” given the “particularly adverse conditions of drought and water shortage prevailing in Cyprus”.
The minister is not calling for outright bans on the water-based festivities but is appealing for responsible celebration of the flood festival. She specifically requested that local authorities “inform your citizens/members about the need to avoid actions that may lead to unreasonable water consumption” during the popular Orthodox Christian celebration.
Cyprus is facing a severe summer water shortage, with authorities warning that water reserves are alarmingly low. Fresh water reserves in the island’s 108 dams have reached critically low levels, prompting government intervention to secure water supplies.
Four additional mobile desalination plants are scheduled to become operational in October, producing 30,000 cubic metres of drinkable water daily, adding to the existing four permanent desalination plants that each produce 235,000 cubic metres daily.
Officials warn that Limassol and Paphos are already at high risk of failing to meet daily drinking water needs, with water cuts potentially expected in 2026 if drought conditions persist. The government has made money available to subsidise construction of private desalination plants at hotels as the tourism-reliant nation struggles with dwindling water reserves.
The Pentecost weekend, one of the highlights of the Greek Orthodox Christian calendar, typically sees people engage in water fights and other water-based activities. The festival unfolds 50 days after Orthodox Easter and is celebrated mainly in Cyprus, combining Christian traditions with ancient Greek mythology.
In her official correspondence, Panayiotou acknowledged the cultural importance of the tradition whilst emphasising environmental responsibility. “The preservation of the custom can be carried out with respect for our cultural heritage, but also with responsibility towards the environment and future generations,” she wrote.
The minister said that successful water conservation “depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders involved, public awareness and personal responsibility”, highlighting the collective effort required to address the crisis.
The Limassol District Local Government Organisation has also called on residents to “demonstrate responsibility” in their water use over the Kataklysmos weekend, echoing the minister’s conservation message across the island.
Panayiotou concluded her appeal by stressing that local authorities’ “contribution to raising public awareness is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of our country’s water reserves”.
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