Cyprus faces a growing risk of flooding as climate change and urban development reshape the factors that contribute to flood events, according to Christos Dimopoulos, scientific director of the Civil Protection Sector at the CERIDES Centre of Excellence.
Speaking on Sigma TV’s Mesimeri kai Kati, Dimopoulos said Cyprus had historically faced flooding problems because of the island’s geomorphology. However, he warned that environmental changes and development in recent years had increased the risks in several areas.
He stressed that managing flood risk requires both government action and greater involvement from local communities.
Cyprus has identified 43 flood-risk areas
Dimopoulos explained that risk depends on three factors: the hazard itself, the exposure of people and property to that hazard, and their vulnerability.
He outlined two complementary approaches to managing risk: action by the state and initiatives taken by society.
At government level, Cyprus has taken measures under the EU Floods Directive 2007/60/EC. The Water Development Department has drawn up flood risk management plans covering 38 locations in river basin areas, with five more expected to be added.
The 43 locations are covered by management plans that include specific measures for prevention, protection and preparedness.
Dimopoulos said these measures form an important part of the effort to address the island’s flood risks.
Communities must also help reduce flood risk
The expert emphasised that citizens should not rely exclusively on the authorities to manage flood risk. Communities and individuals also need to take steps to reduce their exposure and vulnerability.
He warned that valuable local knowledge and experience of flood management risk being lost, particularly in mountainous areas of the Troodos region.
Traditional practices developed by local communities can help inform efforts to manage flooding, he said. Maintaining dialogue between residents and public services is therefore important to identify risks and develop suitable responses.
Limassol flood protection projects offer an example
Dimopoulos also addressed the fear that flooding and other natural disasters can cause among residents. He argued that practical measures and infrastructure projects can help address the underlying risks.
He pointed to flood protection works in Limassol as an example of projects designed to tackle identified hazards and reduce people’s exposure to flooding.
However, he stressed that increasing urbanisation is changing both the level of risk and the number of people potentially exposed to it. These developments require a more targeted approach to risk assessment and management.
Climate change and urban development require closer attention
Changes in the environment, population movements and expanding development have altered the conditions that influence flooding across Cyprus.
Dimopoulos’s comments highlight the importance of combining government planning and infrastructure with community participation and local knowledge.
As urban areas continue to expand and climate conditions change, understanding how these factors interact will be essential to reducing flood risk and improving preparedness for natural disasters.
Also read: Heavy rain and strong winds cause disruptions across Cyprus
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