Turkey’s major cities secure water supply as record rain fills dams

Meteorological data released by Turkey’s General Directorate of Meteorology shows that the first eight months of the 2026 water year received about 650 mm of rain, well above the 574 mm national average – an increase of more than 100 % in central Anatolia, southeast Anatolia and the Mediterranean region, with similarly strong gains elsewhere.

According to Doç. Dr. Ceyhun Özçelik of Sıtkı Koçman University, the unusually high precipitation has filled reservoirs in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir and Bodrum. Barriers in Istanbul and Ankara are reported as sufficient for the year, İzmir’s dams hold roughly 790 million m³ (exceeding the city’s 330 million m³ demand), and Bodrum’s main reservoirs are near full capacity, ensuring drinking‑water security through year‑end. The surge also boosted hydro‑electric generation, which now accounts for about 41 % of Turkey’s electricity, roughly 11.7 billion kWh in April.

A separate May‑rainfall report highlighted that May 2026 recorded the highest precipitation in the past 33 years, with an average of 95.6 kg m⁻², nearly 81 % above seasonal norms. Some regions, especially the Black Sea and Mediterranean coasts, saw rainfall three times the average. Ordu registered the highest local amount at 206.7 kg m⁻², while Muğla recorded the lowest at 35.6 kg m⁻². Numerous provinces broke 66‑year records for May rainfall.