12.07.2024 20:50
In the Karaali neighborhood of Yunusemre district in Manisa, the irrigation canal used by farmers turned blue due to the mixing of industrial waste from the factories in the region. The canal, which caused damage to crops, was closed for use, and the residents of the neighborhood demanded measures to be taken against the bad odor and pollution. Meanwhile, authorities have initiated an investigation to identify the companies responsible for polluting the canal.
The industrial waste dumped into the 4-kilometer-long irrigation canal in Karaali neighborhood of Yunusemre district in Manisa is causing damage to both the wildlife and thousands of hectares of agricultural land. The color of the irrigation canal has turned blue due to industrial waste.
Upon receiving a report, officials who went to the area closed the canal to the use of farmers due to the potential harm it may cause to the health of individuals consuming crops and products produced from them.
TONS OF CROPS DAMAGED While thousands of tons of crops suffer from drought in the fields, foul odors spread from the canal. In cooperation with the Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the General Directorate of Manisa Water and Sewerage Administration, efforts have been initiated to identify the facilities polluting the irrigation canal.
"THE SMELL IS SO BAD THAT IT CAUSES POISONING" Meanwhile, residents of Karaali neighborhood who engage in farming have called on the authorities to solve the problem as soon as possible. Süleyman Yardımcı, one of the residents who stated that they cannot stay in their homes due to the foul odors emanating from the canal, said, "This is normally a State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) irrigation canal. We irrigate our fields from these canals. This year, they did not provide water due to this filth. Even if we irrigate, our fields will suffer great damage. There is no possibility of living in houses close to the canal. The smell is so bad that it causes poisoning. Last year, due to the pressure we put, dirty water stopped flowing, but in this irrigation season, they started discharging industrial waste into the canal again. Every day, especially at night, industrial waste is discharged into this canal. The discharged waste is either dye solution, solvent, or thinner. You don't need to be a chemist to understand this because it is evident from the smell. Do people have to die for someone to take action? Why do they torment this neighborhood so much?"
"A WOMAN HAS BEEN POISONED" Mustafa Denli also said, "We live here, we do farming. The water in our irrigation canal is very dirty. They do not allow agricultural irrigation from here, claiming that toxic waste is discharged into the canal. The residents of the neighborhood are very distressed. The smell has increased, and there are cases of poisoning. Yesterday, I talked to an uncle. His wife was sick, and when she went to the doctor, she said that she was poisoned by the smell and her lungs were affected. If this continues, more people will get sick. We want a solution as soon as possible."
"THEY RELEASE THE WASTE INTO THE CANAL AT NIGHT" Ahmet Olguner, one of the producers, said, "I am a farmer, and my house is right here. They deliberately release the waste into the canal, especially at night. There is more smell at night. We do not want these wastes to be dumped into the canal. Even our animals have been affected by this situation. Our animals no longer drink water from here."