The alarm concerning decreasing water levels in the dams of Bodrum, a renowned tourist district in Türkiye's southwestern province of Muğla, has been recently raised by an expert, prompting a call for preparedness ahead of the summer months. 
Recent local media reports indicate that the water level in one of the dams supplying the district has reached a concerning capacity of 16%, attributed to shortages in rainfall and escalating temperatures.
The water levels in Geyik and Akgedik dams in Bodrum were observed to be hovering around 60%, while the water level in Mumcular Dam, utilized for both irrigation and drinking purposes, remained at approximately 16%, as per the report by Demirören News Agency (DHA).
Preparedness for the impending summer months and dry periods, particularly optimizing irrigation and drinking water, and informing farmers accordingly, were underscored by Professor Ceyhun Özçelik, an expert in water resources from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University.
Highlighting record-high temperatures recorded in February in Türkiye, Özçelik stressed the mounting impacts of climate change, both globally and domestically.
The significance of managing and mitigating the effects of climate change during critical periods was emphasized by Özçelik, noting similar conditions within the country.
An approximate increase of 3.4 degrees Celsius (6.1 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to seasonal norms was witnessed in February, reaching 7.5 degrees Celsius, Özçelik pointed out.
Regarding water levels, Özçelik noted that both the Geyik and Akgedik Dam currently maintain levels around 60%, which is notably better compared to the previous year.
Özçelik highlighted the concerning decrease in precipitation, indicating a nationwide precipitation deficiency of up to 42%, representing a 24% decrease compared to last year.
Addressing the specific situation in Bodrum, Özçelik noted that while the water levels in Geyik and Akgedik Dams are relatively satisfactory at 60%, the Mumcular Dam's water level remains stagnant at 16%.
The critical importance of monitoring spring precipitation was stressed by Özçelik, particularly for Mumcular Dam, which serves both drinking and irrigation water needs, emphasizing potential difficulties in irrigation supply for Karaova if spring rains fail to materialize.
Recalling the water crisis in Bodrum the previous year, where dams were temporarily closed due to critically low water levels, Özçelik mentioned the extraction of water from the bottom of dams, known as "dead volume," to partially meet water demand in 2023.
Recent local media reports indicate that the water level in one of the dams supplying the district has reached a concerning capacity of 16%, attributed to shortages in rainfall and escalating temperatures.
The water levels in Geyik and Akgedik dams in Bodrum were observed to be hovering around 60%, while the water level in Mumcular Dam, utilized for both irrigation and drinking purposes, remained at approximately 16%, as per the report by Demirören News Agency (DHA).
Preparedness for the impending summer months and dry periods, particularly optimizing irrigation and drinking water, and informing farmers accordingly, were underscored by Professor Ceyhun Özçelik, an expert in water resources from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University.
Highlighting record-high temperatures recorded in February in Türkiye, Özçelik stressed the mounting impacts of climate change, both globally and domestically.
The significance of managing and mitigating the effects of climate change during critical periods was emphasized by Özçelik, noting similar conditions within the country.
An approximate increase of 3.4 degrees Celsius (6.1 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to seasonal norms was witnessed in February, reaching 7.5 degrees Celsius, Özçelik pointed out.
Regarding water levels, Özçelik noted that both the Geyik and Akgedik Dam currently maintain levels around 60%, which is notably better compared to the previous year.
Özçelik highlighted the concerning decrease in precipitation, indicating a nationwide precipitation deficiency of up to 42%, representing a 24% decrease compared to last year.
Addressing the specific situation in Bodrum, Özçelik noted that while the water levels in Geyik and Akgedik Dams are relatively satisfactory at 60%, the Mumcular Dam's water level remains stagnant at 16%.
The critical importance of monitoring spring precipitation was stressed by Özçelik, particularly for Mumcular Dam, which serves both drinking and irrigation water needs, emphasizing potential difficulties in irrigation supply for Karaova if spring rains fail to materialize.
Recalling the water crisis in Bodrum the previous year, where dams were temporarily closed due to critically low water levels, Özçelik mentioned the extraction of water from the bottom of dams, known as "dead volume," to partially meet water demand in 2023.