Thirsty Cyprus left three metres short of water supplies

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

NICOSIA (AFP) — A 3.5-metre (10-foot) miscalculation with the final section of an undersea pipeline is depriving Cyprus of badly-needed water supplies shipped over from Greece.

Greek Cypriots on Monday were still awaiting the precious cargo to reach shore, a week after it arrived off Cyprus.

The specially-built 1,320-metre undersea pipeline falls 3.5 metres short of a land pipe which is to channel the water to a distribution centre, said the shipping company involved in the project.

The connecting pipe from the ship is not long enough after experts apparently miscalculated the length.

A red-faced Agriculture Minister Michalis Polynikis told state radio of his "surprise" over the latest snag because up until Sunday lunchtime he was confident water...