Cyprus downpour follows church's prayers*

NICOSIA, Dec 5 (AFP) Dec 05, 2007

Drought-hit Cyprus enjoyed a second day of heavy rain spells on
Wednesday after the Orthodox Church of Cyprus ordered prayers for the
heavens to open, as water reserves run dry on the island.

The heaviest downpours were in Nicosia, causing some disruption to
traffic and with the emergency services called out on several occasions
to deal with flooded property.

The meteorological service forecasts that the unsettled weather will
continue until Friday, with showers and isolated thunderstorms expected
across the island.

"It looks like our prayers have been answered," said Father Joseph
Coleman, an American Orthodox priest, watching from a Nicosia cafe as
rain bucketed down outside.

On the orders of Archbishop Chrysostomos II, Cypriot clergy prayed for
rain during Sunday services in efforts to end the Mediterranean holiday
island's two-year drought.

In his circular, the Archbishop said he was convinced that collective
prayer would end the dry spell.

"We are certain that by praying together with the warmest of spirit and
deepest of faith it is possible that Almighty God will hear our prayers
and grant our request," he said.

Prolonged heavy rainfall is needed if the island is to avoid water cuts,
with restrictions already in place for crop irrigation. A hosepipe ban
is also in force.

Since last year Cyprus has received below average rainfall with record
hot weather placing huge demands on reserves, especially during the
lengthy tourist season.

Dams are at only 7.8 percent of their capacity, compared with 25 percent
a year ago, official figures show.

The last time the reservoirs were this low was in 1998.

To combat prolonged dry spells the government is tapping into strategic
water reserves usually set aside for the military. It has also said it
will build more water desalination plants.

Weather experts say there must be much more heavy rainfall before
January to avoid a chronic shortage.