24.01.2026 19:34
After heavy rainfall in the Aksu district of Antalya, the Soğucaksu Stream overflowed, flooding agricultural lands and greenhouses. Farmers stated that they suffered significant losses, emphasizing that the lack of stream rehabilitation in the area led to the disaster. They reported that their damages amount to approximately 30 million lira.
The rain that started in Antalya during the night intensified at times, turning into a downpour. Due to the rain, some houses in the Kepez and Konyaaltı districts were flooded. Water inundated some streets, avenues, and boulevards in the city center.
Drivers of vehicles stranded on the road experienced difficult moments due to the flooding. Security and municipal teams took precautions to prevent any adverse situations.
AGRICULTURAL LANDS WERE SUBMERGED
In the Mandırlar neighborhood of the Aksu district, the Soğucaksu Stream overflowed due to the rain that started last night and continued throughout the night. The overflowing water filled the agricultural lands and greenhouses in the neighborhood. Some roads collapsed due to the flood, and significant damage occurred in areas where production is done under cover.
"ALL OF THE WATER FILLED OUR GARDEN"
Farmer Fikret Yurdakul, who stated that approximately 30 decares of under-cover production area were completely damaged, described the events as follows:
"The rainfall was above expectations. The meteorology issued a yellow code, but this rain was not yellow; it was a red code rain. We prepared for the rain and set up our drainage systems. However, the Soğucaksu Stream, which also carries water from the nearby airport, overflowed. There were collapses on the road we used as a barrier between us and the stream, and all the water filled our garden."
"WE HAVE ABOUT 30 MILLION LIRA IN DAMAGES"
Yurdakul, who stated that he lost a large portion of his products due to the flood, said, "Approximately 30 decares of our under-cover products were destroyed. We had areas planted with celery, and they were lost. Our animals were lost. We expect our future from the land, and they were also lost. We had over 100 tons of tomatoes, and I had collected about 6 tons from 20 decares of strawberries; the rest of the products we obtained were completely damaged. The fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural machines, and my tractor in the warehouses were all submerged. The plastics of my greenhouses were torn. It was as if sea sand came into my garden, making it impossible to farm for a long time. Our loss is quite large. We have about 30 million lira in damages," he said.
"I AM CONSIDERING GIVING UP FARMING"
Yurdakul, who stated that he has submitted petitions for years for the improvement of the stream but has not received any results, said, "This is not just one time, not two. We experience the same disaster every few years. We are now considering legal action. I am relatively young as a farmer, I can be considered one of the last farmers, but today I am even thinking of giving up farming," he said.
Özkan Akkan, who farms in the region, also stated that the lack of proper improvement of the stream has led to disaster. Akkan said, "The biggest problem in this area is the lack of stream improvement. Water accumulates and floods the lands because the stream bed and its connections have not been deepened. The level rises even more with the water from the airport given to the Soğucaksu Stream. As long as no improvement is made, these damages will occur today and tomorrow as well. Our authorities need to see this now," he said.