Drought alarm issued for dams: 'There is no snow at all in the Taurus Mountains'

In Adana, one of Turkey's hottest provinces, February was the hottest February in the last 255 years, according to data from the Turkish State Meteorological Service.

Furthermore, Adana, which broke a temperature record in Turkey with 28.7 degrees in February, was listed among the provinces experiencing extraordinary drought according to the 24-month standard precipitation index meteorological drought status shared by the Turkish State Meteorological Service.

In the city where there has been no rainfall, it was observed that water levels in the dams have begun to recede. Drone footage has once again laid bare the reality of the drought. Prof. Dr. Mesut Başıbüyük, a faculty member at Çukurova University's Department of Environmental Engineering, made statements regarding the situation.

"IT COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS PROBLEMS"

Prof. Dr. Mesut Başıbüyük, a faculty member at Çukurova University's Department of Environmental Engineering, emphasized the need to be mindful of water consumption, stating, "Evaporation in dams during the summer months, combined with water used for agricultural irrigation and energy, could lead to serious problems."

"THERE IS NO SNOW AT ALL IN THE TAURUS MOUNTAINS"

Emphasizing that the lack of snowfall is affecting the dams, Prof. Dr. Başıbüyük said, "Unfortunately, there was not enough snowfall this year. For this reason, it was not very possible to reach the desired levels, especially in dam reservoirs. We don't see a major problem in Çukurova, but there is no snow at all in the Taurus Mountains. There is only 10 percent of the snow that should be there. February was very hot and the existing snow cover melted. If this continues, evaporation in dams during the summer months, combined with water used for agricultural irrigation and energy, could lead to serious problems," he said.

"WILD IRRIGATION MUST BE PREVENTED"

Pointing out that Turkey experiences such natural events from time to time, Prof. Dr. Mesut Başıbüyük noted the following:

"This is one of the natural events that we frequently experience from time to time in Turkey. Our country is not a water-rich country. On one hand, there is a growing population, and on the other, a variable precipitation regime linked to the climate crisis. We need to be careful about the water we consume individually for drinking. Cars should not be washed at dams. Wild irrigation must be prevented. We must use our water carefully. If we do not do these things, water scarcity will emerge as a serious problem for us."

"WE NEED TO USE OUR WATER CAREFULLY AND CLEANLY"

Pointing out that Çukurova could enter a water crisis at any moment due to the lack of rainfall, Başıbüyük said, "When you look at the Çukurova region, it is richer in terms of water resources compared to the rest of our country. However, due to this negative precipitation regime, this situation can always change. For this reason, we need to use our water carefully and cleanly."

"IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2 METERS HIGHER"

Murat Yapku, who fishes in the Seyhan Dam Reservoir, explained that the water level has dropped significantly compared to last year, saying, "Normally, there should have been more water at this time in March. The expected snowfall did not happen this year. Water was released to our canals with a delay, and the water in the lake decreased. Right now, it should have been 2 meters higher, not where we are. Last year, there was very good rainfall and it was cold. This year, the expected winter did not happen. There was a short cold period, and that was not specific to Adana. A cold air wave came to our country and we were affected by it," he said.