Latest news with #Tekirdag
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Drought depletes Turkey's Tekirdag reservoirs, forcing emergency water curbs
Drought depletes Turkey's Tekirdag reservoirs, forcing emergency water curbs By Ali Kucukgocmen TEKIRDAG, Turkey (Reuters) -A drought in Turkey's northwestern province of Tekirdag has left the area's main dams without potable water, straining infrastructure and leaving some homes without water for weeks, due to a sharp drop in precipitation in the country this year. Authorities say drought is a critical issue, with several provinces warning of limited fresh water supply this summer. Various areas in Izmir, Turkey's third-most populous province, have experienced frequent water cuts this month, while the municipality in the western province of Usak was told over the weekend it would have access to water just six hours a day, with the main water reservoir depleted. Rainfall slumped 71% in July across the country from a year ago, according to Turkey's Meteorological Service. In the Marmara region, which includes Tekirdag and Istanbul, it shrank 95% below the monthly norm in July. In the ten months to August, precipitation sank 32% in Marmara compared to the norm, while it fell 26% across Turkey to the lowest in 52 years. ALTERNATIVES The water level in Tekirdag's Naip Dam, which has not seen any rainfall in June and July, fell to zero percent in August. That has forced authorities to find alternatives like delivering irrigation water for domestic use and building a pump system for delivery into urban areas. The dam's water level was 21% this time last year, according to the State Hydraulic Works. Mehmet Ali Sismanlar, head of Tekirdag's Water and Sewerage Administration (TESKI), said rainfall in Tekirdag has reduced dramatically over the past decade, and severe drought over the last two years has spurred frequent water cuts in some areas this summer. "We are the area and the province that has been affected the most by the drought in Turkey," he said, attributing it to climate change. The water in Turkmenli dam, usually used for irrigation, was used to supply water to Tekirdag's Marmaraereglisi district, where some neighbourhoods faced water cuts. TESKI was working to open new wells to use ground water, not usually a preferred measure, Sismanlar said. He said ground water had sunk to twice its original depth over the years. Mehmet, 70, a resident who lives in the Dereagzi neighbourhood with his family, said their home has had no water for two months, leaving them unable to shower or perform chores, and they were fetching water from nearby areas in large bottles. "I have been living in filth for the past two months," he said, standing among dirty piles of dishes in the kitchen, and adding that he last showered when he went to Istanbul, around 130 kilometres (81 miles) away. His wife, Fatma, 65, said the family stayed up at night to fill up bottles in case water supply is resumed. Remzi Karabas, 71, said he takes his laundry to Istanbul to be washed, but was done with living in Tekirdag. "We'll leave some day soon. What can we do here? Water does not flow at all."
Al Arabiya
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Al Arabiya
Drought depletes Turkey's Tekirdag reservoirs, forcing emergency water curbs
A severe drought in Turkey's northwestern province of Tekirdag has left the region's main dams without potable water, forcing authorities to impose emergency restrictions and leaving some homes without running water for weeks. Officials blame the crisis on a sharp drop in rainfall this year, which has pushed the country's freshwater supplies to their lowest level in more than five decades. The Naip Dam, which saw no rainfall in June or July, has dried up completely, while other reservoirs in Tekirdag have reached critically low levels. Authorities are diverting irrigation water for domestic use, drilling new wells, and installing pump systems in urban areas. But with groundwater also rapidly depleting, officials warn that long-term solutions are urgently needed. Residents in Tekirdag say they have gone weeks without water at home, resorting to hauling bottles from distant areas or traveling to Istanbul to shower and wash clothes. 'I have been living in filth for the past two months,' said Mehmet, 70, whose family has survived on sporadic supplies. His wife Fatma, 65, said they stay up at night to fill bottles in case the water comes back on. Rainfall across Turkey fell 71 percent in July from a year earlier, according to the Meteorological Service, with precipitation in the Marmara region—home to Tekirdag and Istanbul—down 95 percent compared to seasonal norms. Officials say climate change has made Tekirdag the worst-hit province in the country, with conditions deteriorating steadily over the past decade.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Drought depletes Turkey's Tekirdag reservoirs, forcing emergency water curbs
Drought depletes Turkey's Tekirdag reservoirs, forcing emergency water curbs By Ali Kucukgocmen TEKIRDAG, Turkey (Reuters) -A drought in Turkey's northwestern province of Tekirdag has left the area's main dams without potable water, straining infrastructure and leaving some homes without water for weeks, due to a sharp drop in precipitation in the country this year. Authorities say drought is a critical issue, with several provinces warning of limited fresh water supply this summer. Various areas in Izmir, Turkey's third-most populous province, have experienced frequent water cuts this month, while the municipality in the western province of Usak was told over the weekend it would have access to water just six hours a day, with the main water reservoir depleted. Rainfall slumped 71% in July across the country from a year ago, according to Turkey's Meteorological Service. In the Marmara region, which includes Tekirdag and Istanbul, it shrank 95% below the monthly norm in July. In the ten months to August, precipitation sank 32% in Marmara compared to the norm, while it fell 26% across Turkey to the lowest in 52 years. ALTERNATIVES The water level in Tekirdag's Naip Dam, which has not seen any rainfall in June and July, fell to zero percent in August. That has forced authorities to find alternatives like delivering irrigation water for domestic use and building a pump system for delivery into urban areas. The dam's water level was 21% this time last year, according to the State Hydraulic Works. Mehmet Ali Sismanlar, head of Tekirdag's Water and Sewerage Administration (TESKI), said rainfall in Tekirdag has reduced dramatically over the past decade, and severe drought over the last two years has spurred frequent water cuts in some areas this summer. "We are the area and the province that has been affected the most by the drought in Turkey," he said, attributing it to climate change. The water in Turkmenli dam, usually used for irrigation, was used to supply water to Tekirdag's Marmaraereglisi district, where some neighbourhoods faced water cuts. TESKI was working to open new wells to use ground water, not usually a preferred measure, Sismanlar said. He said ground water had sunk to twice its original depth over the years. Mehmet, 70, a resident who lives in the Dereagzi neighbourhood with his family, said their home has had no water for two months, leaving them unable to shower or perform chores, and they were fetching water from nearby areas in large bottles. "I have been living in filth for the past two months," he said, standing among dirty piles of dishes in the kitchen, and adding that he last showered when he went to Istanbul, around 130 kilometres (81 miles) away. His wife, Fatma, 65, said the family stayed up at night to fill up bottles in case water supply is resumed. Remzi Karabas, 71, said he takes his laundry to Istanbul to be washed, but was done with living in Tekirdag. "We'll leave some day soon. What can we do here? Water does not flow at all."
Reuters
a day ago
- Climate
- Reuters
Drought depletes Turkey's Tekirdag reservoirs, forcing emergency water curbs
TEKIRDAG, Turkey, Aug 19 (Reuters) - A drought in Turkey's northwestern province of Tekirdag has left the area's main dams without potable water, straining infrastructure and leaving some homes without water for weeks, due to a sharp drop in precipitation in the country this year. Authorities say drought is a critical issue, with several provinces warning of limited fresh water supply this summer. Various areas in Izmir, Turkey's third-most populous province, have experienced frequent water cuts this month, while the municipality in the western province of Usak was told over the weekend it would have access to water just six hours a day, with the main water reservoir depleted. Rainfall slumped 71% in July across the country from a year ago, according to Turkey's Meteorological Service. In the Marmara region, which includes Tekirdag and Istanbul, it shrank 95% below the monthly norm in July. In the ten months to August, precipitation sank 32% in Marmara compared to the norm, while it fell 26% across Turkey to the lowest in 52 years. The water level in Tekirdag's Naip Dam, which has not seen any rainfall in June and July, fell to zero percent in August. That has forced authorities to find alternatives like delivering irrigation water for domestic use and building a pump system for delivery into urban areas. The dam's water level was 21% this time last year, according to the State Hydraulic Works. Mehmet Ali Sismanlar, head of Tekirdag's Water and Sewerage Administration (TESKI), said rainfall in Tekirdag has reduced dramatically over the past decade, and severe drought over the last two years has spurred frequent water cuts in some areas this summer. "We are the area and the province that has been affected the most by the drought in Turkey," he said, attributing it to climate change. The water in Turkmenli dam, usually used for irrigation, was used to supply water to Tekirdag's Marmaraereglisi district, where some neighbourhoods faced water cuts. TESKI was working to open new wells to use ground water, not usually a preferred measure, Sismanlar said. He said ground water had sunk to twice its original depth over the years. Mehmet, 70, a resident who lives in the Dereagzi neighbourhood with his family, said their home has had no water for two months, leaving them unable to shower or perform chores, and they were fetching water from nearby areas in large bottles. "I have been living in filth for the past two months," he said, standing among dirty piles of dishes in the kitchen, and adding that he last showered when he went to Istanbul, around 130 kilometres (81 miles) away. His wife, Fatma, 65, said the family stayed up at night to fill up bottles in case water supply is resumed. Remzi Karabas, 71, said he takes his laundry to Istanbul to be washed, but was done with living in Tekirdag. "We'll leave some day soon. What can we do here? Water does not flow at all."
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Forbes
5 Perfect Turkish ‘Town-Sizing' Destinations To Tack Onto Your Trip To Istanbul
Sunset in Tekirdag getty You could spend months exploring Istanbul and still not see everything the megacity has to offer—but if you're looking to escape the bustle of the city for a couple of days during your trip, opting to pencil a nearby 'town-sizing' destination into your Istanbul itinerary can be a great way to get to see another side of Turkish culture without having to hop onto a plane or fight for a restaurant reservation. Istanbul is located in the Marmara region of Türkiye; it's the most densely populated of the seven geographical regions of the country, which makes it easy to explore different towns and cities by bus and ferry. The following towns are at most three hours outside of Istanbul and will allow you to experience Turkish hospitality and history without the crowds: Tekirdag, Turkey: Landscape view of the city of Tekirdag in Turkey getty Located about two hours outside of Istanbul on the north coast of the Sea of Marmara, Tekirdağ is easily accessible by bus. Tekirdağ is famous for its rakı as well as its preserved historic Ottoman wooden houses. The Tekirdağ coastline is also quite popular for holiday homes but the town remains small and quaint—especially when juxtaposed with neighboring Istanbul. Hereke Castle in Hereke. Kocaeli, Turkey. Hereke is a town in Kocaeli City. Aerial view with drone. getty Izmit is just a hundred kilometers outside of Istanbul and can be reached by both bus and train. The city is a great option for history buffs thanks to the abundance of remains of the ancient Acropolis, Agora, and Nymphaeum. It also boasts Roman city walls, aqueducts and cisterns, and plenty of other examples of historic architecture across centuries. Iğneada People on the square near iğneada city hall at summer in iğneada kırklareli where a river joins the Black Sea on the northern coast of Turkey. getty Tucked into the Black Sea coast, Iğneada is about a four-hour bus trip or three-hour car trip from Istanbul. The town is home to just about two thousand inhabitants and is famous for its natural splendor, particularly the Iğneada Floodplain Forests National Park. Yalova Autumn mountain village landscape. Turkiye, Yalova province, Sogucak getty The fastest and easiest 'town-sizing' destination to explore outside of Istanbul is Yalova. The ferry from Pendik (on the Anatolian side of Istanbul) to Yalova is less than an hour, making this option great for doing a 'town-sizing' day trip. The town boasts stunning waterfalls, hiking trails, and great spas, for a truly relaxing escape from the big city. Bolu Camping in Bolu yedigöller national park getty The bus from Istanbul to Bolu is about three hours, which is doable for a day trip but probably best to plan for an overnight 'town-sizing' experience. The town is most famous for its natural splendor; lakes, national parks, and hiking trails are its biggest draw.
