In Cyprus, the shortage of fresh water is becoming increasingly severe. Authorities have introduced strict measures to prevent water wastage, including fines, restrictions on water supply to farmers, and threats of disconnection for households. But how did people manage this issue in the past?

It is worth noting that Cyprus used to have a much wetter climate. Springs flowed from the ground, feeding streams, and rivers meandered through the valleys. Goods were transported on large boats from Nicosia to the coastline and back, and a full-fledged moat with water existed around the city walls of the capital.

The island was forested, and as is known, trees not only consume moisture but also help to accumulate it in the soil and draw water from deeper layers. However, rampant deforestation led to the dehydration of large areas, resulting in a water shortage.

People began constructing multi-kilometer aqueducts. During the rainy months, people stored water in massive stone reservoirs. Some of these reservoirs were continuously fed by pipelines or aqueducts, which helped manage increased consumption during peak hours.

From ancient times, numerous “fountains” have existed in settlements. Wells were present in every castle, fortress, and many villages.

There were also advanced solutions. If you visit Santorini, you will see stones painted white on the vineyard land. Early in the morning and late in the evening, moisture condenses on them and nourishes the soil. In the Black Sea region, Greeks scaled this technology: for instance, in Theodosia, they laid smooth stones on the mountain summit, and the water they collected was stored in reservoirs to supply the city.

Today, artesian wells are popular in Cyprus. However, aquifers are becoming depleted, and wells near the sea have started producing salty water.

Desalination technology is well-known, but it has several drawbacks:

– The process requires enormous amounts of electricity, which is a valuable resource.

– Desalinated water is of lower quality than natural drinking water.

– The cost of desalination is high, so such water is not used for irrigation.

– The resulting brine is dumped into the sea, harming marine life.

So, what to do? Transport water from Greece by tankers? There was such an experience, but it did not justify itself. Reduce losses by repairing water pipelines? This does not affect the situation globally. Use wastewater? A good method, but such water would only be suitable for irrigation, and it would be insufficient.

And let us not forget the fields without pipelines. And especially the forests still present on the island. How can we provide moisture to the wild vegetation, without which Cyprus would resemble a bleak desert?

The only effective scenario for Cyprus is to increase precipitation through scientific knowledge supported by the experience of other countries. Only this method will fill reservoirs, protect agriculture from degradation, preserve forests and other areas with wild vegetation, and replenish artesian wells.

Methods for increasing precipitation intensity have been known for a long time. They were effectively used in the USSR from the 1970s, and Soviet scientists and practitioners were leaders in atmospheric technologies. The Soviet experience was used in Central and South America, as well as in neighboring Syria. In China, this technology was scaled up to such an extent that disputes between provinces over “cloud theft,” where rain fell where it was not expected, became common.

In autumn, winter, and spring, clouds over Cyprus carry billions of tons of water. However, only a small portion falls as rain or snow over the island. Our group and the Cypriot press have repeatedly written about the need to apply atmospheric technologies. Foreign experts have visited Cyprus and concluded that water from clouds is a viable solution that could increase precipitation intensity in the country by at least 15-20 percent, with the cost of a ton of water being 2 cents. However, their proposals have gone unanswered.

What are the decision-makers afraid of? “That someone will laugh.” “It will affect the election of our party’s candidate.” “Some journalists claimed it is harmful to the environment.”

Are you serious? Precipitation in Cyprus has decreased by 18% over the last hundred years, the average annual temperature has risen from 18.9°C to 21°C, nature and civilization on the island are under threat, and we are inclined to consider the opinions of uninformed people…

So, let us consider what the future holds for Cyprus. How soon will it turn into a desert? And why?