29.10.2026 14:27
Following the downpour that has been effective in Istanbul in recent weeks, Eyüpsultan Municipality announced that the occupancy rate of Alibey Dam has reached a critical level and warned citizens. Dam occupancy rose above 77% from 34.44% before the October 14-15 rainfall. While it was stated that excess water is planned to be released in a controlled manner into Alibeyköy Stream, citizens were asked not to approach the streambed.
Water level in Alibey Dam in Eyüpsultan rose rapidly with the rainfall. Before a possible evacuation, the municipality warned those around the creek about life and property safety.
“DO NOT APPROACH THE CREEK BED”
In the statement by Eyüpsultan Municipality, it was stated that the occupancy rate of Alibey Dam had “reached a critical level.” It was conveyed that the excess water in the dam was planned to be discharged in a controlled manner into Alibeyköy Creek.
In the statement, citizens living, working, or passing through the creek bed and its surroundings were asked to be careful. Authorities emphasized that, to protect life and property safety, people should not be in the creek bed or its surroundings.
OCCUPANCY ROSE FROM 34 PERCENT TO 77 PERCENT
Before the rains on October 14-15, the occupancy rate of Alibey Dam was 34.44 percent; after the rains, it rose to 77.29 percent. According to October 28 data from the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISKI), the dam’s occupancy rate was measured at 72.6 percent. It was stated that the rate has hovered between 72.5 and 73 for the last 2 days.
Alibeyköy Creek passes through the borders of Arnavutköy and Sultangazi, joins Kağıthane Creek, and flows into the Golden Horn.
ISTANBUL WAS HIT BY A DOWNPOUR
The downpour that was effective in Istanbul on October 14-15 caused floods and inundations in many districts, especially Sarıyer and Eyüpsultan. In Sarıyer’s Ayazağa Neighborhood, workplaces and vehicles were damaged.
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum announced that the rainfall was among the highest in the last 83 years, with 273 kilograms of rain per square meter in some areas. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) measured 277.1 kilograms of rain per square meter in Beykoz.
OVERALL OCCUPANCY IN DAMS 53.71 PERCENT
According to October 28 data from ISKI, the overall occupancy rate of dams in Istanbul was 53.71 percent. The highest occupancy rate was measured at Darlık Dam with 89.42 percent, followed by Ömerli Dam at 77.47 percent and Alibey Dam at 72.6 percent.
At some dams, however, the occupancy rate remained quite low. The occupancy rate was recorded at 2.91 percent at Pabuçdere Dam and 4.73 percent at Kazandere Dam. Occupancy was measured at 31.19 percent in Büyükçekmece, 32.83 percent in Sazlıdere, 37.3 percent in Terkos, and 45.82 percent in Istrancalar.