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Istanbul Dams Drop Below 54% Capacity, İSKİ Reports
🇹🇷 Turkey /Energy & Infrastructure

Istanbul Dams Drop Below 54% Capacity, İSKİ Reports

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Istanbul's average dam water level has dropped to 53.07% as of August 4, 2026.
  • Key reservoirs like Terkos and Büyükçekmece are below 50% capacity, raising concerns during the summer.
  • İSKİ, the water authority, released the latest figures detailing the occupancy rates of all major dams supplying the city.

Istanbul's water supply is under strain as dam levels continue to fall, with the average occupancy rate dipping to 53.07% by August 4, 2026. The Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (İSKİ) released the latest figures, highlighting a concerning trend for the city's water security.

Several critical reservoirs are now below the 50% capacity mark. Terkos Dam, a primary water source for the European side of the city, has seen its occupancy rate fall to 45.08%. Similarly, Büyükçekmece Dam, which serves a large population, is now at 48.44%.

The data reveals a stark picture across Istanbul's water sources. While Ömerli Dam remains relatively high at 77.16% and Darlık Dam at 72.15%, other significant sources like Elmalı Dam (86.41%) are also not immune to the overall decline. Smaller dams such as Sazlıdere, Istrancalar, Kazandere, and Pabuçdere are experiencing even lower occupancy rates, with Kazandere at 28.11% and Pabuçdere at 24.42%.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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