DSI Deputy Director General announces water levels in Istanbul

State Hydraulic Works (DSI) Deputy Director General Bülent Selek stated that the water level in Istanbul's dams appears sufficient for 2 months, adding, "However, we believe this will be replenished with rainfall and there will be no problems."

The Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Commission convened under the chairmanship of AK Party Istanbul Deputy İsmail Emrah Karayel.

In his presentation there, DSI Deputy Director General Selek said that the average annual precipitation in Turkey is well below the global average.

Pointing out the irregular distribution of rainfall in the country, Selek said, "Our annual surface water potential is 185 billion cubic meters. We cannot use all of this because we do not have the opportunity to store it. Technically and economically, we can only use 112 billion cubic meters of it. Of this, 94 billion cubic meters is surface water and 18 billion cubic meters is groundwater reserve. We use approximately 55 billion cubic meters. The agricultural sector, which uses 77 percent of the water, is the sector that consumes the most water. The fisheries and aquaculture sector does not consume water; it releases the water back into its course after use."

Stating that according to international indices, Turkey is classified as a "country under water stress" in terms of the amount of water per capita, Selek said, "The amount of water per capita is 1,313 cubic meters. As the population increases, this will decrease further. Countries where the amount of water consumed per capita falls below 1,000 cubic meters fall into the 'water-scarce country' category."

Explaining that there has been a decrease in the amount of usable water due to the scarcity and irregularity of rainfall, Selek expressed that resilience against climate change must be increased.

While answering questions from deputies, Selek gave the following response to a question regarding the occupancy rates of the dams supplying water to Istanbul:

"While there was over 40 percent occupancy in Istanbul's dams last year, this year it is around 17 percent. When we look at the occupancy rate in the dams, it seems we can manage for at most 2 months, but according to the latest information we have received, our rainy days are coming in the upcoming period, hopefully. We think it will recover with these rains. According to the forecasts of the World Meteorological Organization and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, this year will be a bit rainier. The amount of water in Istanbul's dams appears sufficient for 2 months, but we believe it will be replenished with rainfall and there will be no problems."

"A provincial organization for the General Directorate of Water Management will be established"

Afire Sever, General Manager of Water Management at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, also stated that water levels are being affected by the climate crisis.

Explaining that Turkey is experiencing floods and flash floods alongside heavy rainfall, that temperatures continue to rise, and that precipitation levels are decreasing, Sever noted that they are preparing climate projections for the country regarding water management. Sever stated, "By the year 2100 in Turkey, an increase of up to 6 degrees in average temperatures, a decrease in total annual precipitation, a 25 percent drop in our water potential, a 44 percent reduction in snow-covered areas, an increase of 15 days in consecutive dry days, and an increase in heatwaves reaching up to 200 days per year are expected."

Pointing out that the entire world is in need of water, Sever emphasized that Turkey must plan water usage for all sectors. Sever mentioned that the "Water Efficiency Mobilization" was launched under the auspices of Emine Erdogan, the wife of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and noted that the efficient use of water resources is aimed within this scope.

Providing information that a provincial organization for the General Directorate of Water Management will be established, Sever expressed that they aim to create a national water inventory with the National Water Information System and, in this context, guide national water management policy.

The commission will first conduct inspections in Izmir and Mugla

Commission Chairman Karayel, in his speech following the presentations, said that officials from 4 different ministries will be heard regarding fishing shelters at the next meeting of the Commission in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

Noting that they plan to conduct field work in Izmir and Mugla on November 30 or December 1, and in Trabzon and surrounding provinces the following week, Karayel explained that they will carry out field visits to other regions while also taking into account the ongoing 2024 budget deliberations in the TBMM.

Commission Spokesperson and CHP Sinop Deputy Barış Karadeniz stated that there are contradictions between institutions and organizations regarding fisheries and aquaculture, and that eliminating these contradictions and solving the sector's problems would only be possible through the establishment of a "Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture."

News Source: 12punto