River levels drop sharply in Northern Cyprus as heavy rains continue

Heavy rains continue in Northern Cyprus, with a significant drop in river levels noted. Main inspections on site took place on December 10: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment Fikri Ataoğlu and Mayor of Gonyeli-Alayköy Hüseyin Amdjaoğlu inspected the Güzelyurt–Nicosia section of the main road, partially closed to traffic, and received information from field units.

The inspection also involved Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Durali Güçlüsay, Nicosia Police Chief Tarkan Kızıltuğ, Head of Gonyeli Police Station Ali Pamit, and representatives of the Gonyeli-Alayköy municipality.

Fikri Ataoğlu thanked the field services for their work and reported that an extended meeting took place in Girne in the morning. According to the municipality, river levels have decreased, so the current precipitation is not expected to cause significant damage. At the same time, four families unable to temporarily stay in their homes were accommodated in hotels.

Hüseyin Amdjaoğlu noted that crews have been working around the clock for 48 hours. He pointed out a local overflow near the IOS café caused by the merging of several streams — including the flow behind the Information and Communication Technologies Directorate building, runoff from the Şehit Çocukları plots, and the stream from Kanlıköy — which threatened the bridge in front of the Mirage restaurant. According to him, the main problems are related to heavy flows from the mountains and overflowing dams in Kanlıköy and Gonyeli; work continues.