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Drought-stricken Cyprus looking to Lebanon and Egypt for water
Jan 9, 2008, 11:17 GMT
Nicosia - Drought-stricken Cyprus is looking to import water from Lebanon and Egypt as the island's reservoirs reportedly only have two months of water left, reports said.
Reports said Cypriot officials are considering transporting water by tankers from Greece, Lebanon and Egypt in an effort to aid the water shortage.
The eastern Mediterranean island has experienced a 15-per-cent drop in rainfall over the past 35 years due to climatic conditions, while the demand for water has increased by 3 or 4 per cent on average every year.
After months of no rain, the island's water shortage is reaching crisis proportions forcing the government to implement restrictions on water supply for farming and irrigation.
The government is ready to dip into strategic reservoirs, which are only used during times of war or the urgent need for water, and is also considering implementing household water cuts if the situation does not improve in the next few months.
The situation has prompted hundreds of devout Greek Cypriots into Orthodox churches to pray for rain.
© 2008 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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