DSİ shares active occupancy rates of dams: Here's the latest on Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir...

Turkey has experienced a notable surge in rainfall this water year, with precipitation levels rising significantly. Compared to the 2024 water year, rainfall has increased by 76.4%, and it is also 31.4% above the long-term average. This abundant rainfall has directly contributed to a substantial rise in dam occupancy rates across the nation.

As of June 22, the active occupancy rate of dams nationwide reached 81.4%. This marks a significant improvement from the previous year, when the rate stood at 53.2%. The total active water volume in the dams has also increased accordingly, reaching 77 billion cubic meters by June 22, compared to 50.4 billion cubic meters in 2025 and 59.3 billion cubic meters in 2024.

The State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) has begun sharing detailed data on dam occupancy rates, including those for major metropolitan areas. In Istanbul, the occupancy rate is currently 66.2%, down from 70.9% last year. Ankara's dams show an occupancy rate of 39.2%, a considerable increase from 18.4% last year. Izmir's rate has jumped from 7.5% to 45.6%, and Bursa's has risen from 74.1% to 89.2%.

These detailed statistics, which track rainfall and dam occupancy, are now being made available daily on the DSİ's dedicated website, allowing the public and relevant authorities to monitor water resources more effectively. The increased water levels are a positive development, particularly for regions that have previously faced water scarcity.