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Istanbul faces water crisis as dam levels drop amid extreme heatwave warnings
Istanbul is facing a dual crisis of declining water reserves and an impending extreme heatwave. According to İSKİ data, the average occupancy rate of the city's dams fell to 48.13 percent as of August 19, a significant drop from the 72.05 percent peak recorded on May 11. Specific reservoirs show varying levels of depletion, with Pabuçdere at 14.45 percent and Kazandere at 20.87 percent. The total current water volume is 420.56 million cubic meters against a total capacity of 868.68 million cubic meters. Experts note that even if the dams were full, they would not meet the city's annual consumption needs.
Simultaneously, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) has warned of a severe heatwave originating from Africa and Basra. Temperatures are expected to exceed 35 degrees Celsius, with some forecasts suggesting peaks up to 37 degrees. This heatwave is predicted to last between 7 and 10 days. High humidity levels, potentially reaching 91 percent at night, are expected to increase the perceived heat. Health officials have issued warnings regarding heatstroke, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses.
Entities
AKOM · General Directorate of Meteorology · Güven Özdemir · Istanbul · Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality · Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Disaster Coordination Center · Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration · Melen · Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü · Turkey · İSKİ
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Istanbul and most of Turkey are being affected by heatwaves originating from Africa and Basra. isthaberler.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The heatwave is expected to last for 7 to 10 days. isthaberler.com · www.cumhuriyet.com.tr · www.haber3.com · www.yenicaggazetesi.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Istanbul's dam occupancy rate fell to 48.13 percent as of August 19. www.haber1.com · www.haberport.com · www.gzt.com · www.dunya.com · www.gercekgundem.com · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Sazlıdere Dam occupancy rate dropped to 26.91 percent. www.haberport.com · www.gzt.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Temperatures in Istanbul are expected to exceed 35 degrees Celsius. www.ayancikgazetesi.com · isthaberler.com · www.aksiyon.com.tr · www.haber3.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Istanbul's dam capacity is insufficient to meet the city's annual water consumption even if full. www.haber1.com · www.dunya.com · www.gercekgundem.com · www.habermeydan.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Heatstroke is a condition where the body fails to regulate its temperature due to high heat and humidity. www.ayancikgazetesi.com · www.aksiyon.com.tr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Turkey's average precipitation in 2025 was 27.6 percent below the 1991-2020 average. www.bursahakimiyet.com.tr
- [● 5 SOURCES] The current water amount in Istanbul's dams is 420.56 million cubic meters. www.habermeydan.com · tasinmazhaber.com · www.haber1.com · www.dunya.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Humidity levels are expected to reach 91 percent during the night. www.yenicaggazetesi.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] 492.7 million cubic meters of water were supplied from Melen and Yeşilçay this year. www.habermeydan.com · tasinmazhaber.com · www.haber1.com · www.dunya.com