24.07.2025 16:19
In Istanbul, the temperature rose to 56 degrees yesterday due to a heat wave coming from Africa and the Gulf. As a result of the hot weather, a record was set for the highest daily water consumption in the megacity, with 3 million 710 thousand cubic meters of water used yesterday.
Residents of Istanbul are struggling with extreme heat caused by a heat wave coming from Africa and the Gulf. While our lungs are burning across the country, the extreme heat also threatens human health. Yesterday (July 23), Ahmet Köse, the Second President of the Meteorological Engineers Chamber, stated to Haberler.com, "Due to the humidity being at 60%, the perceived temperature reaches 56 degrees. This is a very dangerous temperature level. Heat stroke, thermal shock, and loss of consciousness can occur. In Istanbul, the asphalt temperature reaches 60, and the concrete temperature can go up to 62 or 63 degrees."
WATER CONSUMPTION RECORD AT 56 DEGREE PERCEIVED TEMPERATURES
According to data from the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ), due to the perceived temperature reaching 56 degrees in Istanbul, a record daily water consumption of 3 million 710 thousand cubic meters was experienced yesterday, the highest ever recorded. Of the water supplied to the city, 600 thousand cubic meters came from regulators, while 3 million 110 thousand cubic meters were sourced from dams. The last recorded daily water consumption in the city this year was 3 million 645 thousand 341 cubic meters on June 29.
RESERVOIRS ON ALERT
According to İSKİ's data; the reservoir filling rate, which rose to 82.22% on April 15 this year, has decreased to 56.24% as of today due to the effects of the hot weather.
The water levels are measured as follows: Ömerli at 58.17%, Darlık at 65.93%, Elmalı at 72.29%, Terkos at 59.61%, Alibey at 39.94%, Büyükçekmece at 53.95%, Sazlıdere at 45.62%, Istrancalar at 30.97%, Kazandere at 49.79%, and Pabuçdere at 50.9%.
The reservoirs and ponds supplying water to the city have a total storage capacity of 868 million 683 thousand cubic meters, while the current water amount is recorded as 488.12 million cubic meters. This year, the rainfall amount that fell into the reservoirs was 324.23 kilograms per square meter.
In addition to the reservoirs, 395.63 million cubic meters of water have been sourced from Melen and Yeşilçay, which also supply water to the city, so far this year.
FILLING RATES IN RECENT YEARS
According to İSKİ statistics, on July 24, the reservoir filling rates were recorded as follows: 80.11% in 2015, 64.43% in 2016, 72.97% in 2017, 73.62% in 2018, 70.39% in 2019, 59.25% in 2020, 69.17% in 2021, 68.63% in 2022, 39.07% in 2023, 60.63% in 2024, and 56.24% in 2025.