Water shortage in Turkey

Turkey is experiencing its driest year in over six decades. The situation is particularly dramatic in Bursa, once known as “green Bursa.” At the beginning of October, the water supplier BUSKI reported that the main dams were only one percent full. The result: daily water shut-offs lasting over twelve hours.

Other cities such as Izmir, Konya, and Kayseri are also struggling with empty reservoirs. According to climate researcher Mikdat Kadioglu, around 70 percent of the country is affected by extreme drought. Agriculture is suffering massively: avocado and pistachio plantations are withering away, and excessive groundwater pumping is causing dangerous subsidence in the Central Anatolian grain belt.

Drought in Turkey: Water shortages hit cities and agriculture hard

Istanbul, with its 18 million inhabitants, faces enormous challenges. Repairs to dilapidated pipes and new storage facilities are intended to help. Seawater desalination is being discussed, but high costs and political priorities are slowing progress. The planned “second Bosphorus” canal also threatens important drinking water sources.

Experts are calling for immediate action: water-saving agriculture, recycling in industry, and infrastructure expansion. Climate change makes it clear that Turkey is facing a structural change in water policy—with far-reaching ecological and social consequences.

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Source: https://taz.de/Folgen-der-Duerre/!6126165

Photo: https://www.pexels.com/de-de/foto/sonnenuntergang-vogel-fliegen-gebaude-9502857/