The water ranges in three essential dams supplying Istanbul, situated within the jap Thrace area, have considerably dwindled because of an ongoing drought.
Kazandere Dam situated on the Black Sea coast, particularly, has been profoundly affected, with its floor showing dry and coated in grass, giving it an sudden inexperienced hue, the native media reported Sunday.
The diminished rainfall and components equivalent to local weather change, world warming and shifting seasons are thought of the primary causes behind the acute drought challenge, in line with Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University Çorlu Engineering Faculty Dean Lokman Hakan Tecer.
Kazandere, Pabuçdere and Istrancalar dams, located throughout the Vize district of Kırklareli province – answerable for assembly Istanbul’s water wants, have skilled a drastic decline in filling ranges, reaching round 5%.
According to knowledge compiled from the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration’s (ISKI) web site, Kazandere’s filling capability at present stands at 5.14%, Pabuçdere’s at 3.91% and Istrancalar at 33.28%.
The repercussions of drought have been evident as giant parts of the Pabuçdere and Kazandere dams have dried up, and grass has appeared on the dried sections of Kazandere, turning the floor of the dam inexperienced.
It was noticed that livestock grazed within the dried and grass-covered areas of the dam.
Explaining the primary causes affecting the lower in water ranges, Tecer mentioned: “Climate change, global warming, reduced precipitation, shifting seasons – these are the consequences of climate change affecting this region and manifesting themselves on a global scale. We must adapt to this climate change and develop measures of adaptation.”
Furthermore, Tecer notes that Kazandere and Pabuçdere, two of Istanbul’s main dams located within the jap Thrace area, have hit their lowest ranges prior to now decade.
“When we look at the total of 10 dams supplying Istanbul, the water levels have never dropped below the 60%-65% range except for a significant and dramatic drop in 2014. This figure remained between 44% and 49% in the following 10 years. Therefore, this demonstrates a decrease in precipitation and a challenge in water supply in the Türkiye region, which lies within the Mediterranean climate zone,” he mentioned.
‘We should adapt now’
Tecer additionally urged rapid adaptation to local weather change, notably by way of water utilization, on totally different ranges.
“We need to make this transformation. We have things to do personally, socially, as a country, and as policymakers. The institutions responsible for managing this issue have things to do. Personally, we need to transform our daily water usage into a more efficient consumption pattern. When we think about our daily activities, we should minimize our water consumption,” he mentioned.
“Then, in the industries and agriculture sectors, we must transition to more technologically advanced and water-efficient production methods,” Tacer added.
Noting that water administration is a big challenge, he said that this is applicable to all international locations, together with Türkiye.
“It is an issue of great urgency. Starting from today, we need to establish a life cycle that can adapt to climate change in terms of water management and consumption in this region, and we need to initiate it,” he underlined.
Local resident Hüseyin Duran, 34, residing within the Aksicim neighborhood close to the dams, revealed that they’ve resorted to grazing their animals within the dried-up dam.
“The water level has reached its lowest point. Previously, these places used to be filled up to 95%. But there has never been a drought like this. This year’s drought is unprecedented. As you can see, the water level is now at 1%, maybe 2%,” Duran defined.
Duran reminisced concerning the time when locals may swim and fish within the streams, however now it has became a barren land the place his sheep graze.
The complete occupancy fee of the ten dams that meet the water wants of Istanbul was measured at 43.81% as of July 2 with the best ranges seen in Ömerli Dam at round 75% and the bottom in Pabuçdere at 3.91%.
Türkiye, listed as a “water-stressed” nation contemplating its speedy improve within the common inhabitants and industrial exercise, faces a danger of changing into a “water-poor” nation by 2030.
Yet, elevating the general public’s data concerning the local weather risk and water dialog along with initiatives strengthened by authorities such because the current “Drought Management Plan” for 23 basins throughout the nation are thought of to be among the steps taken within the route of guaranteeing sustainable and efficient consumption of water.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
