water levels in the dams supplying Istanbul with water have reached an average of 85% like snow left behind After the vague of cold is melting. Two dams touched the full mark while Alibeyköy, one of dams hit worse in a dry spell last year is now at nearly 80% capacity.
Only a few months ago goats were grazing on the dried-up reservoir bed where boats sail now. Two-metre (6.5 ft) high barbed wire erected on the dried part of the tank to keep people off are now almost completely submerged. Dam was only about 17% of its capacity about four months ago.
Istanbul, a city of more over 15 millions peoplehas been facing the risk of drought although the authorities have assured public that the water capacity was sufficient to meet the population for at least seven months. In November 2021, the level of the dams fell to around 41%. Lack of precipitation and snowfall in the following months renewed the fear of a period of drought to come but everything changed in January.
Two days of snowfalls that covered city and threw everyday life out of gear, brought water to the dams. A new vague of rainfall that lasted for four days, up until Monday, further increased water levels. Current levels are highest in the past 12 months. On March 16, 2021, the average water level in dams was about 62%.
Higher water levels also leads to a reduction in the rate of water supply lines outside the city. Last yearla city had received some 625 millions cubic meters of the water of the Melen and Yeşilçay streams and this yearhe has so far only received 62 millions of cubic meters. As of On Wednesday, no additional water is pumped to the city supply lines.
Winter precipitation also rising water levels in other big cities. According to official data, dams in Istanbul, the capital Ankara and the third largest city Izmir saw an increase of 11% in their water levels on Tuesday, compared to March 15, 2021.
