Drought alarm for Marmara

Pointing out that Bursa, Çanakkale, Edirne, Kocaeli, and Yalova have experienced their lowest rainfall in the last 64 years, Özdemir noted that Istanbul recorded its lowest average rainfall for the month of June in the last 21 years, stating, "This situation is worrying." According to data compiled from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, the long-term average for June rainfall in the region was determined to be 41.5 millimeters. The region received 42.6 millimeters of rainfall in June last year, while it received 3.4 millimeters during the same period this year.

Thus, June rainfall in the region decreased by 92 percent compared to both the long-term average and the same period last year.

RAINFALL IN ÇANAKKALE DECREASED BY 98 PERCENT

A decrease of up to 60 percent was detected in all of Marmara, except for Kırklareli, in June rainfall.

While the lowest rainfall of the last 21 years was recorded this month, it was determined that rainfall in Çanakkale decreased by 98 percent in June.

The lowest rainfall of the last 64 years occurred in June in Bilecik, Bursa, Çanakkale, Edirne, Kocaeli, and Yalova, and the lowest in the last 21 years occurred in Istanbul.

RAINFALL DECREASED MOST IN THE MARMARA REGION

Istanbul Aydın University faculty member and meteorology expert Dr. Güven Özdemir said in his statement that rainfall has decreased in Turkey in June.

Stating that rainfall in Turkey decreased the most in the Marmara Region this month, Özdemir said, "The Marmara Region remained under the influence of high pressure in June. This situation, also linked to global climate change, reduced rainfall. Rainfall in Marmara in June decreased by 92 percent compared to its normal levels and the same period last year."

Özdemir pointed out that rainfall was also low in July, emphasizing that this situation negatively affects the water occupancy levels in dams, that the rate in dams has fallen below 65 percent, and that measures must be taken for this now.

'LOWEST RAINFALL OF THE LAST 64 YEARS'

Underlining that rainfall has decreased significantly in some provinces in the Marmara Region in June, Özdemir said, "Especially in Bursa, Çanakkale, Edirne, Kocaeli, and Yalova, the lowest rainfall of the last 64 years was experienced. The lowest average rainfall of the last 21 years in Istanbul was recorded in June. This situation is worrying."

Özdemir noted that the increase in greenhouse gases has raised temperatures, and that the biggest reason for this is human activities.

Pointing out that the abnormal increase in air temperatures and their continuous upward trend have also significantly disrupted the precipitation balance, Özdemir stated, "In a sense, a lack of rainfall and, consequently, drought are at the forefront. In other words, in addition to the lack of rainfall, a year-on-year decline in rainfall variability, which cannot be compensated for in later years, has become dominant. The decrease in summer rainfall is the biggest indicator of drought."

Özdemir added that the world's water cycle is changing, that high temperatures increase evaporation, and that when the temperature rises excessively, the air can hold more water, and that increased evaporation will be one of the most important reasons for the increase in drought and intense storms on Earth.