Newsletters
Winter rains may have arrived this year, but for a parched Istanbul, they are too little, too fast and far too late.
The Marmara region, home to Türkiye’s largest metropolis, is bracing for a potential summer of severe water shortages. Experts warn that 2025 recorded the lowest average rainfall in 64 years, leaving dam levels critically low as the dry season approaches.
Prof. Dr. Lokman Hakan Tecer, dean of the Corlu Engineering Faculty at Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, issued a stark warning regarding the current reservoir statistics. Despite recent winter precipitation, the data suggest the region is far from safe.
"Unless we see rainfall well above seasonal norms this March and April, we will be forced to spend the summer months struggling with water scarcity," Tecer stated. "We are very close to periods where we will be devastated by the lack of water."
Current measurements show a significant decline in the water reserves intended to sustain Istanbul’s population of nearly 16 million.
While there is a public perception that recent rains filled the dams, the numbers tell a different story.
The deficit is attributed to a record-breaking dry spell. According to General Directorate of Meteorology reports, overall precipitation in Türkiye was 27.6% lower than long-term averages in 2025.
A primary concern for hydrologists is not just the volume of rain, but the way it falls.
Tecer explained that the region is increasingly seeing "cloudburst" style rain rather than steady, soaking precipitation. This creates a scenario where the water arrives too fast to be useful.
"A month's worth or even six months' worth of rain pours down all at once," Tecer said. "This leads to surface runoff where water flows into streams and then the sea, rather than feeding the dams or seeping into groundwater."
Furthermore, the region has lacked significant snowfall this winter. Snow is essential for water security because it melts slowly, allowing the ground to absorb the moisture.
Without this slow-release mechanism, "lost water" through evaporation is expected to reach 20% to 25% this coming summer due to high temperatures.
To mitigate the looming crisis, experts are calling for a fundamental shift in how Türkiye manages its water resources.
Tecer emphasized that individual conservation is no longer enough; it must become a lifestyle supported by infrastructure.
"We cannot remain spectators while rainfall turns into floods and flows away," Tecer noted. He urged the immediate implementation of "rain harvesting" systems, particularly in large housing complexes, to collect "grey water" for irrigation and cleaning.
While some legislative changes have been discussed, experts insist that the transition to sustainable water use must accelerate before the peak summer heat arrives.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
