Warning for the city where sinkholes are starting to form between houses: An emergency action plan should be prepared.

The number of sinkholes formed by the withdrawal of underground water and the collapse of the soil is increasing day by day in Konya. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arif Delikan from Konya Technical University stated that it is fortunate that sinkholes do not form under houses and said, "There may be a distance of 20-30 meters between the most recent sinkhole and the houses. We talked to the people there, they are really scared. They say that water comes out from below, and even that the water gushes to the surface. There is gas emission in the region, and when there is a rapid gas emission, they get worried."

"THERE IS SEYITHACI FAULT IN THE REGION"

Sinkholes, mostly occurring in the Karapınar district in the Konya Plain, have also started to appear in Ereğli, Halkapınar, Emirgazi, Çumra, Cihanbeyli, Kulu, Yunak, Çeltik, and Altınekin districts in the same region in recent years. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arif Delikan from Konya Technical University Geological Engineering Department stated that sinkhole formation is accelerating in the Seyithacı and Ekmekçi plateaus in Karapınar district and said, "This region is the area where the majority of sinkholes are observed. Especially newly formed sinkholes occur between Seyithacı Plateau and Ekmekçi Plateau in Karapınar. Of course, many sinkholes have formed again this year. The region is currently a dynamic area, especially compared to last year. We said that sinkholes will continue in this region, and they are indeed continuing. One sinkhole formed this year, and two sinkholes that had formed before collapsed and deepened. There is Seyithacı Fault in the region. Especially many faults parallel to this fault, which controls the region and continues towards the Sultaniye Basin, are inclined towards the east. When we look at the material flow on the fallen block in sinkholes, we see that there is a material flow towards the east. Sinkholes that develop rapidly in the region will continue to develop."

"WATER COMES OUT FROM BELOW"

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Delikan, stating that the people living in the region are worried about the increasing number of sinkholes, said, "We worked in that region for 3 years before. We selected that region as a pilot area together with Konya AFAD Provincial Directorate. In fact, UAV flights are carried out in that region. In other words, they are trying to determine the potential sinkholes, and we determined them before and they collapsed. But there are many houses in that plateau. There may be a distance of maybe 20-30 meters between the most recent sinkhole and the houses. We talked to the people there. They are very close to the houses. They are starting to form between the houses. Fortunately, they did not form under the houses. So, there may be dozens of sinkholes around there, near the edges of the houses, or near the edges of the houses, but there is currently no sinkhole formed right next to the houses. But people are in danger here. When I last talked to them, they are really scared. Water comes out from below. They even say that the water gushes to the surface towards the east. Only their acquaintances in the region say this. In addition, there is gas emission in the region, and when there is a rapid gas emission, people get worried. Unfortunately, the residents there are very worried."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Delikan stated in his statement, "Of course, urgent action is needed. The relevant institutions will carry out studies regarding this. Will the area be relocated or will life continue? There are many examples abroad. Sinkholes form on one side, and life continues on the other side. Will the region continue like this, or will people from the region with intense sinkhole formation be relocated elsewhere? This depends on the decision of the relevant institutions."