Ankara Metropolitan Municipality road work triggers sewer flooding

Following a road‑work project carried out by Ankara Büyükşehir Belediyesi (ABB), a residential building on Şehit Ali Rıza Altın Caddesi experienced two separate sewer‑water inundations within roughly two and a half months. Building manager and long‑time resident Recep Çağlın reported that the flooding, which had never occurred in the building over the past 20 years, forced him to abandon the premises due to foul odour and water damage. He filed complaints with the police and the municipality, but received no concrete remedy. Police took a report but no follow‑up was provided. ABB’s response described the incident as an “affect” and suggested that the problem originated from blocked upstream drainage, stating “it is your problem, what can we do about a disaster?” Cağlın reiterated his desperation, noting that his family member was ill and that basic services such as water supply and electricity were disrupted.

The repeated flooding has drawn attention to the adequacy of municipal oversight of infrastructure projects in Turkey’s capital and raised concerns among residents about accountability for public‑works‑related damages.