21.05.2026 14:30
Due to heavy rainfall in Tokat, the Almus Dam reached full capacity and overflowed for the first time in 33 years, leading to the evacuation of 15 neighborhoods and 7 villages due to flood risk, two additional bridges were demolished in a controlled manner, and approximately 15,000 people were moved to safe areas. As the water flow rate increased during the dam overflow, some citizens tied their vehicles to trees as a precaution against the flood.
The Almus Dam in Tokat has reached 100 percent capacity for the first time in 33 years due to heavy rainfall and began overflowing as of yesterday morning.
22 SETTLEMENTS EVACUATED To counter the flood risk, precautionary barriers were set up in the city, 15 neighborhoods and 7 villages were evacuated, and two additional bridges posing a risk were demolished. Municipal teams are continuously issuing flood warnings in the area. AFAD and Gendarmerie teams have increased their precautions in the city center and surrounding settlements.
2 BRIDGES DESTROYED State officials used construction machinery to carry stones and set up barriers along the riverbank. Citizens additionally took their own precautions. Bridges on the river passing through Tokat were inspected, and two bridges were demolished to eliminate the flood risk.
TIED HIS CAR TO A TREE According to the Instagram account Tokatsondakika, many people placed sandbags in front of their homes and shops. Some citizens tied their vehicles to trees and covered them with tarps. One citizen, while tying his car to a tree, said: “Our municipality is working, we are also tethering our horse and car to a sturdy post. Let them run if they can.”
DISCHARGE INCREASES FROM ALMUS DAM OVERFLOW The Almus Dam, which was anticipated to cause the Yeşilırmak River to overflow, has completely filled, and water discharge from its spillway began as of yesterday. With ongoing rainfall in the region, the amount of water released from the spillway has started to increase. It is estimated that the water discharged from the dam, which has a capacity of 3 million tons of water and covers 21,000 hectares, could cause flooding in the Yeşilırmak.
15 THOUSAND PEOPLE EVACUATED AFAD President Ali Hamza Pehlivan inspected the measures taken in anticipation of the predicted flooding and overflow resulting from rising water levels and flow rates in the Yeşilırmak River.
Holding a meeting with relevant unit directors at the AFAD Tokat Provincial Directorate, Pehlivan stated after the meeting that 15,000 people had been transported to safe zones as part of preventive measures. Reminding that the fill rates of dams in the region have reached maximum levels, Pehlivan said: “We conducted this meeting regarding the risks arising from the floods and the maximum fill rates of dams, as well as the corresponding measures, precautions, risk reduction efforts, and tender activities. As with all disasters, not only intervention but also intervention efforts and risk reduction activities have been carried out in coordination here.”
Referring to the measures taken regarding the predicted floods, Pehlivan said: “This year, especially the winter and spring seasons have been marked by abundant rainfall. Of course, we are grateful for that. We experienced dry months and years before this. Certainly, this blessing can have some side effects. Our duty is to take and implement measures. In Tokat specifically, while intervention teams are working in the field, the controlled demolition of the ÇEDAŞ Bridge was carried out in light of DSI's scientific data. Subsequently, a bridge that could cause problems at the new industrial site was demolished. Again, by our DSI Directorate, reinforcements were carried out along the entire river, especially in the Turhal district.”
Pehlivan stated that 15,000 people have been moved to safe zones, adding: “As is known, the Almus Dam has filled to 100 percent. Water has started to discharge from the spillway. Along with this, the Kılıçkaya Dam has also caused an increase in water in the Kelkit Valley. Therefore, in almost all districts of our Tokat, reinforcements and evacuations have been carried out on one hand, and interventions have been made on the other. Over 4,000 households have been evacuated. Approximately 15,000 of our citizens have been taken to safe zones. We thank our citizens for their understanding. We had opened public guesthouses on the instructions of our governor. We hosted nearly a thousand citizens there. Damage assessment is being carried out by environmental teams. Works related to electricity, evacuation by our gendarmerie, and traffic by our police are being conducted collectively.”