19.07.2026 01:30
Citizens living in the Kayabaşı region of Işıklı Neighborhood, affiliated with Silifke district of Mersin, have become unable to meet their basic needs due to the water shortage that has been going on for days. Villagers, who carry water from nearby neighborhoods and tankers in containers due to no water flowing from the taps, have called on authorities for a permanent solution.
Citizens living in the Kayabaşı region of the rural Işıklı Neighborhood in Mersin's Silifke district have called on authorities due to the ongoing drinking water shortage. Despite having white goods such as washing machines and dishwashers in their homes, residents cannot use them due to the lack of water and have to carry water in containers from tankers and wells to meet their basic needs.
Citizens forming long queues in front of wells with hoses, buckets, and containers stated that arguments occasionally occur over water turns and demanded a permanent solution.
"OUR BROTHER FROM SILIFKE WENT TO SPACE, WE ARE STILL THIRSTY"
Ramazan Güner, the headman of the neighborhood, whose population reaches 1,200 in the summer, drew attention to the water crisis and said:
"Here, under primitive conditions, people obtain water from wells and tanks. In a world where a mill cannot turn with carried water, just like the proverb, we are experiencing these conditions. We sent a brother from Silifke to space. We were proud of that, but as Kayabaşı, while our friends are going to space, we are still suffering from drought here. We are saddened by this. We urge our authorities to bring water to these people as soon as possible."
"PEOPLE GO TO SPACE, WE WASH LAUNDRY BY HAND"
Zübeyde Bulut, a resident of the neighborhood, stated that due to no water flowing from the taps, they have to wash laundry and dishes by hand. Bulut expressed her reaction with the words, "We bring our water from neighboring villages. We don't have a car; if we can find a car, we carry water to the house in containers. We put the water we bring from wells into boilers and wash our laundry outside by hand. I don't know what era we are living in. People are going to space, while we wash laundry by hand."
NO WATER FOR ABLUTION
Nebi Kurt, stating they cannot even find water for ablution to pray, said, "We want to pray five times but can't find water for ablution. When we can't find water, we are at a loss." Meanwhile, another resident, Teslime Uğuz, reported that they had previously drilled a well at their own expense to solve the water problem but got no results. Uğuz said, "Our dishes aren't washed, we can't pour water into our meals. Our children are left without water. I even gave the ring on my finger for water to come out," and requested urgent help from authorities.