In Turkey, which is in the grip of drought due to global climate change; As the first half of October ends, temperature values are as good as summer. The heat, which is above the seasonal norms throughout the country, and the absence of the expected rains have turned everyone’s attention to the water level of the dams in three major cities. According to the last 6-month drought table published by the General Directorate of Meteorology, while Thrace, Marmara and Aegean Regions were struggling in the grip of drought, Ankara, Tekirdağ, Edirne, Çanakkale, Aydın, Muğla and Uşak were longing for rain in the last three months.
THE TROUBLE IS GREAT IN IZMIR
While the water level in Istanbul dams dropped below 35 percent due to the delay in autumn rains, Alibey, Istrancalar, Pabuçdere, Kazandere, Darlık and Elmalı dams almost completely dried out. The water level in Büyükçekmece Dam dropped to 15 percent. While the total occupancy rate of dams in Ankara dropped to 35 percent and the active occupancy rate dropped to 26.2 percent, the situation in Izmir has caused concerns. In Izmir, while the resources other than the Güzelhisar dam have almost reached the point of depletion, the water level in the Balçova, Gördes, Tahtalı, Ürkmez and Alaçatı dams has dropped below 15 percent.
THE UNDERGROUND IS ALSO DRYING
Stating that the situation is worrying, Dursun Yıldız, President of the Water Policy Association and former director of DSI, stated that as the water rate in dams decreases, it will be supplied from groundwater, but this situation will even lead to national security problems.On average, 45 percent of the drinking and utility water of our metropolitan cities is drawn from groundwater. 45.6 percent of the total 6.7 billion cubic meters of water drawn by municipalities is supplied from groundwater as well and spring water. Meriç-Ergene, Akarçay, Büyük Menderes, Konya Closed, Eastern Mediterranean and Asi Basins groundwater allocation amounts have exceeded the safe reserve and recharge amounts. “Emergency measures must be taken in these regions” warnings were listed.
WATER TRANSFER IS INCORRECT
“More detailed studies should be carried out to determine the safe reserve of our groundwater,” Yıldız said, mentioning that another important problem is the inter-basin water transfer and said: “In some river basins in our country, water needs have exceeded the potential of the resources in that basin. According to DSI data, in our country every year 2 billion cubic meters of water is transferred between basins. In addition, 2.3 billion cubic meters of water transfer projects are under construction. In addition, inter-basin water transfer projects of approximately 5 billion cubic meters per year are in the preliminary review, master plan and planning stages. In this case, the amount of water to be transferred annually will increase to 10 billion cubic meters. “Such water management is not correct and sustainable.”

PRODUCTION MAY DECREASE
Prof. Dr. Levent Kurnaz (Boğaziçi University Physics Department Lecturer-Climate Expert)
“While practices such as filling pools, carpet washing, garden watering and car washing should end, no one pays attention to our warnings. No matter how much rain falls in Istanbul, the capacity of the dams in the city is sufficient for 7.8 million people.. One of the biggest problems throughout the country is the serious pollution in river beds. Almost all water resources such as Ergene, Büyük Menderes, Sakarya and Kızılırmak are polluted to some extent. 75 percent of the water is used for agricultural irrigation. “If the drought continues, there will be a crisis in food production.”
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