Ankara Grapples with Severe Water Shortage Amidst Soaring Temperatures and Drought

Ankara, Turkey’s capital city with a population of nearly 6 million, is currently facing a critical water crisis. Intense summer heat and a prolonged lack of rain, attributed to climate change, have caused the city’s water reservoirs to deplete at an alarming rate.

The five primary dams and reservoirs that supply Ankara have reached their lowest levels in recent memory. The Ankara Water Authority reports that current water storage has fallen to a mere 15% of its total capacity. Officials have warned that if current consumption patterns persist and significant rainfall does not occur soon, more stringent water restrictions will likely be implemented.

In an effort to bolster the city’s water supply, 24 new wells have been drilled across three different districts. The Turkish State Meteorological Service revealed that the Central Anatolian Plateau experienced over 30% less rainfall than its seasonal average during the 2024–2025 winter, exacerbating the impact of record-high temperatures on the water crisis.

The drought’s effects are not limited to urban areas. Agricultural regions surrounding Ankara are also severely impacted. Farmers in the plateau are reporting significant reductions in yields for crucial crops like wheat, barley, and sunflowers, which are essential for Turkey’s food supply and exports. The National Grain Council’s May forecast projects Turkey’s wheat production for this year to be only 18.65 million tons, a decrease of at least 2 million tons compared to last year, primarily due to unfavorable climate conditions.

Ankara’s escalating water crisis serves as a stark reminder of the increasing threat that climate change poses to both urban infrastructure and national food security.