ISTANBUL WILL FACE WATER SHORTAGE THIS SUMMER

ANKARA, MAY 16 /SRNA - RIA Novosti/ - Istanbul could face risks to its water supply this summer due to insufficient reservoir levels, television station “Halk” reported, citing data from the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration /İSKİ/.

According to the administration’s data, the average fill rate of Istanbul’s reservoirs is around 72 percent. Experts say that a level of 75–80 percent is preferable for a more stable summer season. The highest levels have been recorded in the Elmalı, Ömerli, and Darlık reservoirs, where the fill rate exceeds 90 percent. Several reservoirs supplying the European side of the city remain significantly lower. The increase in water reserves has largely stalled in recent days despite rainfall. Experts warn that rising summer temperatures and increased evaporation may exacerbate the supply situation if sufficient rainfall does not occur in the upcoming weeks. Istanbul uses more than three million cubic meters of water per day and can no longer rely solely on its own reservoirs. A significant portion of the supply comes from external sources, including the Melen and Yeşilçay systems.