14.07.2025 12:52
In the first 9 months of 2025, the driest period in the last 52 years was recorded across Turkey. Associate Professor Dr. Ceyhun Özçelik stated, "The occurrence of approximately 26% rainfall deficiency over 9 months means that there will be significant decreases in agricultural product yields nationwide," and warned metropolitan areas about drinking water supply issues.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceyhun Özçelik from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (MSKÜ) stated that Turkey is experiencing its driest period in the last 52 years, saying, "It is inevitable to face significant difficulties in providing drinking water in settlements and metropolitan areas that lack urban infrastructure, have no reservoirs, or have insufficient ones."
In Turkey, the first 9 months of 2025 recorded the driest period in the last 52 years. Rainfall decreased by 26% compared to seasonal averages. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceyhun Özçelik, Head of the Water Resources Department of the Civil Engineering Faculty at MSKÜ, stated that while 520 millimeters of rainfall is expected nationwide this year, the actual rainfall is around 380 millimeters.
DECREASE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT YIELD
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özçelik said, "Especially in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, there is a rainfall deficiency of about 53%. In the Central Anatolia Region, this figure is around 36%, while in the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean regions, there is a rainfall deficiency of around 30%. In the Eastern Anatolia Region, there is a rainfall deficiency of about 24%, while I can say that there has been normal rainfall in the Black Sea Region. The occurrence of a rainfall deficiency of about 26% in Turkey over 9 months means that there will be serious decreases in agricultural product yields nationwide," he said.
'DROUGHT' WARNING FOR ANKARA AND IZMIR
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özçelik, who issued a drought warning especially for Ankara and Izmir, stated, "It is inevitable to face significant difficulties in providing drinking water in settlements and metropolitan areas that lack urban infrastructure, have no reservoirs, or have insufficient ones. The current reservoir filling rate in Ankara is around 13.3%. This rate is quite low, and serious difficulties are expected," he said.
"RAINFALL DEFICIENCY WILL INTENSIFY FURTHER"
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özçelik noted that a similar situation exists in Izmir, stating, "In the Aegean Region, the water level in the Tahtalı Dam, which is the largest dam in Izmir, has dropped to 10.1%. We can say that Istanbul is in a good condition as it is in the same situation as last year. The rainfall deficiency of about 26% that occurred throughout the year is expected to intensify further in the summer months, showing flood effects in urban areas and cities with inadequate urban infrastructure due to short-term downpours. According to June data, there is a rainfall deficiency of 63% nationwide. The Marmara and Southeastern Anatolia Regions are among the most critical areas. In the Marmara Region, there is a rainfall deficiency of about 94%, while in the Southeastern Anatolia Region, it is around 88%," he said.