Second dam to be closed in tourist hotspot Bodrum in a week due to water shortage

Duvar English

The State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) plans to close down Geyik Dam, the biggest drinking water resource of the Aegean travel destination Muğla province’s Bodrum district, on Oct. 12, one week after the Mumcular Dam was closed in the same province. 

The reason for closures was the critically low occupancy rates in the dam reservoirs following a period of extreme temperatures and drought in the region. 

The Muğla Metropolitan Municipality stated that the water levels fell lower than the water delivery channels, making distribution impossible. “We are taking the necessary precautions to prevent affecting our fellow citizens,” the municipality added. 

Both officials and academics have warned citizens about potential water shortages in Bodrum and urged for an emergency action plan to be implemented. 

The popularity of the seaside district as a tourist destination led to uneven seasonal populations. The 190,000 population of the district surpasses one million during the summer season. 

The municipality run by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has stated the district was funded unfairly. Head of CHP’s district branch Tuna Işın on Sept. 2 stated that the central government was being “stingy” while spending on Bodrum, although the district brings in about 3 percent of Turkey’s national income.  

Local administration blames the lack of funding for Bodrum’s many infrastructural problems. 

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