Northern Cyprus Faces Alarming Water Crisis, Say Biologists

The Biologists' Association has sounded the alarm over an escalating water crisis in Northern Cyprus, condemning the authorities for what they call “shocking indifference” to the issue. The scientists warn that water resources are rapidly dwindling due to climate change, decreasing rainfall, and excessive water use.

Cyprus has long suffered from limited water availability, but the situation has worsened significantly as underground water reserves have been severely depleted by overconsumption. One striking example dates back to 1989, when the Güzelyurt aquifer showed a deficit of 28 million cubic meters. Water levels dropped 50 meters below sea level, causing widespread salinization of the groundwater.

The association emphasized that without sustainable water management, this crisis cannot be resolved.

In an effort to prompt action, the Biologists' Association sent formal environmental and water-related inquiries to several key institutions — including the Office of the President, the Prime Minister, the Republican Assembly, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment — under the Right to Access Information Law. However, they say that most failed to respond.