Nicosia district authority investigates causes of severe flooding in Engomi

Severe weather conditions on August 29, 2026, caused significant flooding in the Nicosia areas of Engomi, Archangelos, and Pediaios. Constantinos Yiorkadjis, president of the Nicosia District Local Government Organisation (EOA), attributed the damage to decades of fragmented urban planning and missing infrastructure, noting that the city was previously managed by ten independent municipalities with disconnected stormwater networks.

The EOA has launched an extensive technical investigation into the causes of the flooding, specifically focusing on 28th October Street, which remains prone to overflow despite its modern construction. Key areas of the assessment include the sizing of stormwater drainage pipes, the impact of the Klima River casing, and the absence of two critical retention lakes near the International Fair and the old Nicosia airport. Officials admitted that finding effective solutions will take time, as they involve large-scale infrastructure construction rather than temporary measures.

To address future risks, the EOA has requested a formal decision from the Council of Ministers to grant the organization full authority over the design and construction of future retention projects. Meanwhile, a specialized maintenance team has been established to clear stormwater drains daily, aiming to mitigate issues beyond seasonal clean-ups.