Rainfall decreased, dams dried up... Dried-up dams in Istanbul have become picnic areas

The water levels in the dams supplying water to the megacity of Istanbul have dropped to 57 percent. The occupancy rate of the Alibey Dam has fallen to 26 percent, the lowest level in Istanbul. Due to the drought, the Mağlova and Güzelce aqueducts have completely emerged.

The sight of citizens having picnics in the shadow of the Mağlova Aqueduct, which has fully emerged above the Alibey Dam as seen in aerial footage, created an interesting scene. The footage also shows citizens driving cars in many areas of the dried-up lake bed, parts of which are usually underwater during the winter months.

WARNING FROM EXPERTS ON WATER CONSUMPTION

Experts warned that excessive water consumption during the summer months is among the reasons for the rapid decline in water levels in the dams, and therefore urged citizens to be careful about water conservation.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF OCCUPANCY RATES IN ISTANBUL DAMS?

According to the latest data, the occupancy rates in Istanbul's dams are as follows: while the Ömerli Dam has an occupancy rate of 62 percent, the Terkos Dam has the highest occupancy rate at 72 percent. The Büyükçekmece Lake has dropped to an occupancy rate of 54 percent, while the Darlık Dam has a water level of 60 percent. The Sazlıdere Dam is at 52 percent, and the Kazandere Dam has become the second dam with the lowest occupancy rate at 27 percent. While the Papuçdere Dam has fallen to an occupancy rate of 39 percent, the Elmalı Dam is at 63 percent. Finally, the Istrancalar Dam has shown a decline to 37 percent.

News Source: 12punto