AFAD identifies 741 sinkholes in Konya, Karaman, and Aksaray

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) has completed field studies for its Sinkhole Sensitivity Map, identifying a total of 741 sinkholes across the provinces of Konya, Karaman, and Aksaray.

In the Konya Closed Basin, the majority of these formations are located in Konya, which accounts for 704 sinkholes, followed by Karaman with 29 and Aksaray with 8. Within Konya, the Karapınar district has the highest concentration, recording 572 sinkholes. Of the 704 sinkholes in Konya, 390 are classified as well-type sinkholes.

The formation of these sinkholes is attributed to factors including climate change, drought, and uncontrolled groundwater usage. While the first sinkhole in Konya was recorded in 1972, the frequency of occurrences has increased significantly since 2010. AFAD Konya Provincial Director Ali İhsan Körpeş noted that while many sinkholes formed in the past, approximately 350 have emerged in the recent period. The project involves mapping coordinates and identifying areas at risk for new formations.