The water level of Lalapaşa and Büyüköğünlü reservoirs in Edirne continues to decline due to hot weather and drought. Taner Öztürk, President of the Lalapaşa Chamber of Agriculture, stated that the drought in the region is negatively impacting agriculture and livestock.
The water level of Lalapaşa and Büyüköğünlü ponds in Edirne has decreased due to evaporation caused by drought and heat.
The level of water resources continues to drop in the city, which has experienced the driest period in recent years.
The water level of Lalapaşa Pond in the Lalapaşa district and Büyüköğünlü Pond in the village of Büyünlü in the district has started to drop since June due to insufficient rainfall and heat.
The water level in the ponds used for agricultural irrigation and watering animals has decreased significantly.
"We are experiencing the driest period in the last 65 years"
Lalapaşa Chamber of Agriculture President Taner Öztürk told reporters that the region is experiencing a severe drought.
Indicating that the effects of climate change are being deeply felt, Öztürk said, "We have received very little rain this year. We are experiencing the driest period in the last 65 years. At the same time, temperatures are also very high. In the summer, we can exceed 40 degrees "We saw this. We experienced its effects on production; yields in sunflower and wheat decreased," he said.
Öztürk stated that drought threatens water resources.
Noting that water resources in the district have not been used efficiently this year, Öztürk said the following:
"The water level in Lalapaşa and Büyüköğünlü ponds in our district has decreased. In addition, ponds in other villages have dried up by nearly 80 percent. Our farmers are carrying water to their animals in the pastures with tankers. Due to the drought, drinking water problems have arisen in some villages. If we do not receive sufficient rain and snowfall this year, we will experience serious drinking water problems, let alone production. Our only expectation is for the precipitation to come as soon as possible."
Öztürk added that water should be used economically both in agriculture and in daily consumption.
