The water crisis in the Turkish capital Ankara continues, with rationing of supply to citizens due to unprecedented drought.
A municipal official confirmed on Saturday that the water rationing which began several weeks ago is ongoing, denying accusations of mismanagement.
Record drought rates in Ankara during 2025
The General Director of Ankara’s Water Administration stated that the year 2025 saw record drought rates, as the volume of water feeding the dams dropped to historically low levels, reaching 182 million cubic meters compared to between 400 and 600 million cubic meters in previous years, making this the most severe drought period in 50 years.
Water is cut off for several hours daily in some neighborhoods on a rotational basis, forcing many residents to line up at public fountains to fill water bottles, in order to rationalize water consumption in the city where the dam filling rate has dropped to 1.12%.
Erdogan describes Ankara municipal officials as incompetent
These scenes prompted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to describe the officials of Ankara Municipality, led by the main opposition party, as “incompetent.”
The mayor’s office rejected these criticisms, confirming that Ankara is suffering from the consequences of climate change and its increasing population, which has doubled since the 1990s to reach about six million people.
It was explained that in addition to the decrease in rainfall, the irregular pattern of precipitation, lack of snowfall, and the rapid conversion of rain into surface runoff (due to urban expansion) prevent the dams from filling sufficiently.
Continuity of water supply over the weekend linked to rainfall
Ankara Municipality confirmed that thanks to a new pumping system that allows the use of water from dams whose levels are below the required minimum, there will be no water cut-off during this weekend’s holiday. However, it warned that the problem will continue if sufficient rain does not fall.
Large parts of Turkey experienced historic drought last year, while the municipality of Izmir in the west of the country, the third largest city on the Aegean coast, has been imposing daily water cuts since last summer.
Ankara
Ankara is the capital city of Turkey, located in the central Anatolia region. It gained its modern political significance in 1923 when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk chose it as the capital of the newly founded Republic of Turkey, replacing Istanbul. The city has ancient roots, historically known as Ancyra, and was an important cultural and trading center for successive civilizations including the Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, and Ottomans.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, with a rich history as the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its cultural sites, such as the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and the ancient ruins of Ephesus, reflect this layered heritage from classical antiquity through to a modern republic founded in 1923.
Izmir
Izmir is a major port city on Turkey’s Aegean coast, historically known as Smyrna, with a history dating back over 3,500 years. It has been a significant center for various civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans, and is renowned for its ancient agora and vibrant, modern cultural life.
Aegean coast
The Aegean coast is the western shoreline of Turkey, facing the Aegean Sea, known for its extensive beaches and numerous ancient ruins. This region was historically part of several major civilizations, including the Ionian Greeks, the Lydian Kingdom, and later the Roman and Ottoman Empires. Key archaeological sites like Ephesus and Pergamon highlight its long history as a center of trade, culture, and early Western philosophy.
Ankara’s Water Administration
The Ankara Water Administration, known locally as Ankara Su İşleri, is a municipal department responsible for managing the city’s water supply and distribution systems. It was established in the early years of the Turkish Republic to address the critical need for modern infrastructure in the new capital, playing a key role in Ankara’s rapid urbanization and growth.
Ankara Municipality
Ankara Municipality is the local governing body of Turkey’s capital city, established in 1924 following the declaration of Ankara as the new capital of the Republic of Turkey. It manages the city’s infrastructure, services, and urban development, playing a central role in the modernization and growth of the capital from a small Anatolian town into a major metropolitan center.
Turkish capital
Ankara became the capital of Turkey in 1923, following the Turkish War of Independence, as part of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s modernizing reforms to establish a new, secular republic distinct from the Ottoman past. It is a major political and administrative center, home to government institutions, foreign embassies, and historical sites like the ancient Citadel and the Anıtkabir mausoleum of Atatürk.
dams
Dams are human-made structures designed to control water flow, primarily for irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood prevention. Their history spans millennia, with early examples like the Sadd-el-Kafara Dam in Egypt dating back to around 3000 BCE. Modern engineering has enabled the construction of massive projects like the Three Gorges Dam in China, which significantly alter landscapes and water management on a grand scale.
public fountains
Public fountains have served as vital civic infrastructure since ancient civilizations, providing essential drinking water and becoming central gathering places. Their design evolved from simple utilitarian structures in Greece and Rome to elaborate artistic monuments during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, symbolizing municipal pride and technological advancement. While their practical necessity diminished with modern plumbing, they remain cherished urban landmarks for their aesthetic and historical value.
mayor’s office
The mayor’s office is the administrative center and official seat of local government leadership in a city or town, headed by an elected mayor. Its history is tied to the development of municipal governance, often evolving from simple town halls into complex administrative bodies responsible for public services, policy, and civic management.
