Why aren’t the dams filling? Only snow can save Istanbul

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Lerato Khumalo

Istanbul dams cannot be filled due to lack of snowfall. Despite the rains that have been effective throughout the city for the last month, the general occupancy rate of Istanbul dams remains at 50 percent; Alibey, Darlik, Elmalı, Kazandere, Istrancalar and Pabuçdere dams are almost dry. It is estimated that the loss and illegality rate in the megacity, where resources other than Ömerli, Terkos and Büyükçekmece dams have reached the point of depletion, is 19 percent. While an average of 3 million cubic meters of water is supplied to Istanbul by İSKİ per day, most of this amount is consumed on the European Side.

Boğaziçi University Physics Department faculty member and climate expert Prof. Dr. Levent Kurnaz is
“No matter how much rain falls in Istanbul, the capacity of the dams in the city is enough for 7.8 million people. If there is a drought that affects Düzce, it will hit the wall. This city cannot support this population,” he says.

THERE WILL BE A WATER SHORTAGE

Stating that the risk of drought continues, former director of DSI, Dursun Yıldız, while commenting on the table, said, “The loss and illegality rate in Istanbul is at the level of 19 percent. This rate should be reduced to 10 percent. We are tired of saying it, but car washing, garden irrigation, indoor pool use, carpet washing.” Crude practices regarding water consumption such as these continue. IsIn addition to Istanbul, the amount of fresh water per capita in Turkey has decreased by a quarter in the last 60 years. The amount of fresh water per capita decreased to 1,300 m³. “We are heading towards water scarcity.” he said.

MELEN WILL NOT BE ENOUGH

Stating that the rainfall in September, October and November was below average, Yıldız said, “Although we saw the desired rainfall in the first half of December and January, it did not snow in Istanbul. The fact that the Melen Dam cannot be put into operation due to cracks in its body completely disrupts the water supply plan of Istanbul. In addition, The insufficient capacity of the Cumhuriyet treatment plant in the Melen system also limits the amount of water sent to Europe. “After a while, it will not be enough in Melen and sea water purification will be on the agenda.” he said.

WE GET HOT THE MOST

On the other hand, while Istanbul was longing for snowfall and water, Turkey experienced the ‘hottest year’ of the last 53 years. While scientists stated that the most pessimistic climate change scenario is inevitable, the General Directorate of Meteorology announced that 2024 will be the “hottest year” for Türkiye. While global temperatures were recorded approximately 1.5 degrees above the pre-industrial average for the first time, Prof. from ITU Climate Science and Meteorology Engineering. Dr. Barış Önol listed the following warnings: “Türkiye is warming. Especially the Mediterranean and Central Anatolia regions are warming up more than the world average. This year, temperatures in the Mediterranean Region were 3 degrees above normal. This is a very high difference. ‘When the La Nina effect ends and the El Nino effect begins, sea water temperatures in the Pacific will increase. “This means record temperatures.”

Why aren't the dams filling? Only snow can save Istanbul - Picture: 2
Former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization Prof. Dr. Mustafa Öztürk; “As water decreases, we turn to groundwater. Another important problem is inter-basin water transfer. Especially the needs of the cities in the Marmara Region have exceeded the potential of the resources in the basins.”

THE SEA IS NOT COOLING

Stating that sea water temperatures remain very high even in winter, Prof. Dr. Önol; ‘For example, right now, I’m looking at sea water temperatures in the North Atlantic: In the Atlantic Ocean, in an area I would call northeast of Japan, temperatures are 4.5 degrees above normal. These values ​​are quite abnormal, especially for the winter season. The Mediterranean and the Black Sea are also warmer than normal. “Turkey’s Mediterranean basin is more affected by climate change.” he said.

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