Turkey faces severe water shortages in major cities, an expert warns

Turkey is experiencing its driest period in 52 years, raising concerns over drinking water supplies in major cities such as Ankara and Istanbul, according to Ceyhun Özçelik, associate professor at Muğla University.

Rainfall across the country fell 26% below seasonal norms in the first nine months of 2025. In Central Anatolia, precipitation dropped by 36%, and by about 30% in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions.

Water levels in Ankara's reservoirs have declined to 13.3%, while İzmir’s largest dam, Tahtalı, is down to 10.1%. The Marmara region has seen a 94% precipitation shortfall, Özçelik said.