For the first time since 2014, the water stored in Istanbul’s reservoirs has slipped to notably low levels, as reported by NTV. Experts warn that if current patterns persist, the city could rely on its existing supplies for roughly 91 days. Yet when evaporative losses climb to a quarter of the total, that outlook shortens to about 61 days, underscoring the strain on the region’s water security.
Across six of Istanbul’s ten reservoirs, storage has fallen below the normal level by about 20 percent. The lowest measured reserves were at the Pabuçdere dam, where only 4.47 percent of capacity remained available. Overall, the combined occupancy of all reservoirs stands at 33.37 percent, the lowest since 2014 when storage dipped to around 28.9 percent. In comparison, the highest levels were recorded in 2015, when the water supply reached as high as 95 percent of capacity.
City officials have urged water conservation as a precautionary measure, noting that weather forecasters do not anticipate meaningful precipitation over the next ten days. During this period, daytime temperatures are expected to range from 30 to 32 degrees, adding to the pressure on water resources and the need for prudent use by residents and businesses alike.
Earlier in Turkey, records were set for unusually high temperatures, a trend that aligns with broader patterns of extreme heat witnessed across the region. While local authorities monitor developments, the message remains clear: conserving every possible drop can help extend the city’s usable supply during the dry spell and safeguard essential services for the coming weeks.