The decrease in water levels in dams in Edirne, Tekirdağ and Kırklareli causes concern. While the water level in the dams established for irrigation purposes in Edirne decreased to a critical level, the water level in the Kayalıköy Dam, which provides drinking water to Edirne, also decreased to 9 percent. Again, in Edirne, Sultanköy dams used for irrigation purposes decreased to 34 percent and Hamzadere dams decreased to 45 percent. While minus levels continue in the dams for irrigation purposes in Kırklareli, the situation in the dams for drinking water in the city is also alarming. According to the information received from DSI 112th Branch Directorate, it was stated that the water level of the dam decreased due to the temperature above the seasonal norms and the lack of sufficient rainfall. The occupancy rate of the dam, which also provides the city’s drinking water, was measured as 30 percent. Kırklareli Dam, which has a storage volume of 113 million 312 thousand cubic meters, contains 33 million 444 thousand cubic meters of water. Dursun Yıldız, President of the Water Policy Association and former director of DSI, gave striking information about three metropolitan cities to Haber Global Web Özel.
SEVERE DROUGHT
Stating that Turkey entered the water year, which started on October 1, with low occupancy rates in dams, Dursun Yıldız said: “This was due to the fact that the rainfall in September was below normal in the Central and Western regions of Turkey and especially in the Büyük Menderes, Akarçay and Western Mediterranean basins. October It seems that we did not receive enough rainfall in these regions during the month. Annual in the last 5 years “When we look at the meteorological drought maps, we see that regional severe and very severe droughts are experienced in parts of our country, especially Thrace, the Aegean, Central Anatolia, the Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia, except for the year 2023.”
CRISIS IS AT THE DOOR IN IZMIR
Dursun Yıldız gave the following data about three major cities: “The average total occupancy rate of dams in Istanbul seems to be 32 percent. Last year, this rate was around 19 percent. Since the average occupancy rate of Istanbul’s dams is 32 percent, water security is at great risk for now.” Even though water security depends on the next rainfalls, the total occupancy rate of the dams in Ankara was around 33 percent on the same date last year. However, the basin of the dams that supply water to Izmir has almost dried up due to the drought that has continued in recent years. “A serious water crisis is at the door for Izmir.”
THEY WILL DRAW IT FROM UNDERGROUND
Continuing his warnings, Yıldız said: “Except for Güzelhisar Dam, active occupancy rates in all other dams are lower than on the same date last year. Among these, active occupancy rates in Tahtalı Dam, which provides approximately 45 percent of Izmir’s drinking and utility water, is 14.5 percent.” This rate seems to be approximately twice as high as last year. Considering the occupancy rates, the water security of Istanbul and Ankara depends on November and winter precipitation. However, the current occupancy rates of dams in Izmir are at a critical level. “If the meteorological drought continues in Izmir, groundwater supplementation will be needed to provide drinking and utility water.”
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