Prepared within the scope of the Water Policy Association Research Report Series and prepared by Dursun Yıldız and Dr. With the latest research signed by Hasan Hüseyin Doğan, he pointed out that drought around the world is no longer an exceptional natural event, and shed light on the risks awaiting humanity. According to the report, droughts are becoming more frequent, longer and more severe, while there is simultaneous degradation of the atmosphere, surface waters and underground reserves. The study states that the global land area exposed to drought doubled in the period 1900-2020, soil moisture decreased to a critical level in 37 percent of the world’s surface, and water levels decreased in 62 percent of monitored underground water resources. The significant decline in river flows in many regions also reveals that the disruption in the water cycle is now felt on a global scale.
IT WILL INCREASE DOUBLE
One of the most striking warnings in the report is for the coming years. It is stated that if high emission scenarios come true, the frequency of dry periods may more than double by 2100, and extreme heat waves may reach tens of times today’s levels. The population and agricultural areas affected by drought are also expected to expand rapidly. Moreover, according to the report, the source of the danger is not only climate change. Excessive groundwater withdrawal, improper land use, forest losses, intense urbanization and the decrease in the soil’s water absorption capacity make natural drought conditions more severe. While it is pointed out that more than 10 percent of some rivers flow under critical low flow conditions, it is emphasized that the 18 percent decrease in wetlands in OECD countries also weakens the natural buffers of the water cycle.
CRITICAL WARNING FOR Türkiye
In the report, Central Anatolia, Thrace and Southeastern Anatolia stand out for Türkiye. While it is stated that the decrease in soil moisture, the decline in groundwater levels and increasing temperatures may suppress crop production, it is warned that the fragility in the agricultural sector may directly turn into a food security problem. Agriculture, food security, urban water needs and underground water reserves are listed as the biggest risk areas for Türkiye.
NATIONAL SECURITY PROBLEM
Efficiency in water use comes to the fore in the solution headings of the report. It is recommended to reduce losses in networks, measure water consumption, prevent illegal groundwater use, expand modern irrigation systems in agriculture and switch to climate-appropriate cropping patterns. Expanding the use of rainwater harvesting and gray water in cities, developing infrastructure that will enable the soil to absorb water, protecting wetlands and forests, and strengthening drought early warning systems are among the basic recommendations.
