Alarming warning from the professor: Izmir is sinking inch by inch, in the future, it could be flooded everywhere.

In Izmir, the ground sinking between 1 and 1.5 centimeters every year causes the sea level to rise above the average. This situation brings up the risk of coastal areas, especially Alsancak Kordon, being submerged in the future.

"IZMIR IS SINKING"

According to Prof. Dr. Doğan Yaşar, a member of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Change Working Group, the biggest problem in Izmir is the sinking of the city. He stated, "The sea level rises by approximately 2.5 to 3 millimeters worldwide every year. In Izmir, this figure reaches 1.5 centimeters. Because Izmir is sinking. From Basmane to Alsancak, it is a landfill area. Landfill areas sink slowly due to the weight of the buildings."

"BUILDINGS SHOULD BE ELEVATED"

Prof. Dr. Yaşar, who stated that during the rainfall on November 26-27, 2023, the water entered approximately 300-400 meters into Alsancak, said, "This is a warning. Because more water will enter next time. In Basmane, we see seashells from a few thousand years ago. It used to be the sea. No matter how much you fill the sea, if you don't take precautions, the sea will fill the place it will take. When buildings are constructed, the elevation should be increased. In 1873, when the coastline was built, the tender specification stated that it would be built at least 1.5 meters above the maximum tide, and it was built accordingly. In 1927, in Yanık Yurt Newspaper, it was written that the gulf sank by 50 centimeters. The same thing is written in Cevat Korkut Hoca's book 'Izmir Rıhtım İmtiyazı'. Alsancak is sinking between 1 and 1.5 centimeters. After sinking, a lot of water entered after the rainfall in November."

Prof. Dr. Yaşar stated that the same situation exists in Jakarta and Mexico City, but the sinking is much faster there. They found the solution in evacuating the area, slowly leaving the area. Because it is not possible to cope with the speed of nature.

"THE PROMENADE STINKS"

Prof. Dr. Doğan Yaşar stated that the biggest problem in Izmir is sinking and said, "The biggest problem in Izmir is not transportation, the smell of the gulf, pollution, or anything else. In the long run, there is only one event; sinking. Sinking will continue. If precautions are not taken, seawater can reach Basmane in 50-60 years. There are sewage odors in Alsancak right now. Because slowly the pipes started to be below sea level. That's why the promenade stinks. The reason for the flooding of the second promenade is that. Unconsciously, we are raising the first promenade, and the second promenade is left in a pit. The municipality needs to work in detail on sinking, especially with geologists. 50 years is a long term, but it is not very long. It comes suddenly, it catches you."

"BUILDING WALLS IS MEANINGLESS"

Prof. Dr. Yaşar stated that if the city sinks another 50 centimeters, it doesn't matter what is done, "Building walls is not a solution. Building walls is meaningless. You will raise the elevation, it is very expensive, but it is a matter of preference, or you will slowly leave the area, evacuate it."