CYPRUS: January 10, 2008
NICOSIA - Drought-stricken Cyprus may import water from Greece to cover a shortage that has forced the government to ration supplies to farmers, its agriculture minister said on Wednesday. The Mediterranean island has seen little rainfall this winter, marking the fourth consecutive year of drought. Reservoirs are less than 10 percent full.
The decision to bring water in sea tankers from the Greek island of Crete would depend on the weather over the next two months, but the outlook for rain was not promising, Agriculture Minister Photis Photiou said.
"It's January 9. It's supposed to be winter, and it feels like summer," he told Reuters.
"It is not an easy job (to import water). We looked at this option seven or eight years ago and the costs at the time were very high. Some problems in that respect have now been solved."
Water shortages have triggered rationing for farmers, and cuts could also be considered to households if the situation does not improve by April, he said. More >>>
