Severe Drought Dries Up Dams in Northwestern Turkey, Forcing Water Cuts

Severe Drought Dries Up Dams in Northwestern Turkey, Forcing Water Cuts
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A worsening drought in Turkey’s northwestern Tekirdag province has left major dams without potable water, causing weeks-long shortages in some households, Reuters reported. Officials said Tekirdag is among the hardest-hit regions, with the Naip Dam reaching zero capacity in August after no rainfall in June and July.

The State Hydraulic Works noted the dam’s level stood at 21 percent during the same period last year. Across Turkey, rainfall dropped 71 percent in July compared to 2023, while the Marmara region saw a 95 percent decline, pushing national precipitation to its lowest level in 52 years.

The Tekirdag Water and Sewerage Administration (TESKI) has diverted irrigation water for domestic use, opened new wells, and installed pumping systems to maintain supply, though residents report living without water for weeks. Authorities have linked the crisis to climate change, warning that similar shortages may affect several provinces this summer.