Challenging grain planting completed in field with 8 sinkholes in Konya

In the Reşadiye neighborhood of Konya's Karapınar district, 44-year-old farmer Lütfi Gülbahar has seen 8 sinkholes, some over 10 meters deep and 50 meters in diameter, form on his 100-dekar plot of land over the years.

Gülbahar stated that he carried out grain planting on the field, where irrigated agriculture is practiced using an underground well.

Stating that working in a field full of sinkholes is dangerous, Gülbahar said, "Living with sinkholes is difficult; we are worried and afraid. We are uneasy as if something could happen at any moment, but I can say that we have 'gotten used to this'."

"There are 8 sinkholes in this field. You plow around them, you plant, it's difficult. You can't work at night; it's dangerous. If you fell into one, you wouldn't find anyone to help you. That's why we work during the day."

Gülbahar said that they had prepared the field and completed the planting process, and that they would irrigate it from now on if there is no rain.

"We are waiting for rain. In 2002, there were no sinkholes in this field. They started forming since 2012. Almost one sinkhole forms per year. Their depths are over 10 meters, and their diameters are even larger. The threat of sinkholes continues. It's not just this field; sinkholes are also occurring in the surrounding area and on neighbors' lands." he said.

Ali Karakaya, one of the operators who carried out the planting process in the field, also stated that he has been planting for 20 years.

"There are nearly 250 sinkholes in this region. We work with anxiety. I am planting grain. The whole place has become like a molehill with sinkholes." he said.

Ali Karakaya added, "It's difficult, I am planting with anxiety. You can't work at night; there are pits everywhere. It's scary when you pass by them. The fact that one could open up somewhere else is even scarier. The combine harvester operator carries the same concern. It's exhausting; we are 'rallying' around the sinkholes."