Turkiye facing worst drought in over 50 years

ISTANBUL: Turkiye is experiencing its worst drought in over half a century, with rainfall dropping by 27 per cent compared to the last three decades and even more in some regions, according to data published this week.

Between October 1, 2024 and August 31 this year, precipitation in Turkiye averaged at 401.1 millimetres compared to 548.5 mm between 1991 and 2020, the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) said in its monthly report.

“Over 11 months, rainfall in Turkiye has dropped to its lowest level in the past 52 years,” the MGM said, noting a reduction of more than 60 per cent in southeastern Anatolia, a typically arid region that borders Syria. Less than 250 mm fell over 11 months, compared to average rainfall of over 1,000 mm over the past 30 years.

Turkiye´s Mediterranean regions have not been spared, with Marmara and the coast along the Aegean Sea recording the lowest precipitation in 18 years.

Water shortages paired with abnormally high temperatures made for a hellish summer in Turkiye.

The month of July was the hottest in 55 years: average temperatures exceeded those between 1991-2020 by 1.9C, and even broke records with 50.5C in Silopi in the southeast at the end of the month.