Heavy rains have raised the Büyük Menderes River to 5.5 meters, causing local flooding and prompting residents to assess the situation.
In recent days, heavy rainfall has significantly increased the flow rate and water level of the Büyük Menderes River, leading to localized flooding. In the area of the Menderes Bridge, which connects the districts of Koçarlı and İncirliova, the water level has reached a critical point. After struggling with drought for many years, the river has finally received water, with the water level at the Menderes Bridge reaching 5.5 meters.
As the waters occasionally began to overflow onto the road, local citizens flocked to the area to observe the latest situation at the bridge. Some residents who came to witness the water level took photographs and videos, while others conducted inspections. Teams dispatched to the bridge worked with heavy machinery to clean up debris accumulated around the bridge's supports in an effort to ensure the flow of water.
Gürkan Ataş, a farmer, emphasized that if the State Hydraulic Works improved the riverbeds more effectively, it could help mitigate these floods to some extent. He stated, 'I haven't seen the river this high in about 10 years. It had risen this much 10 years ago. We had a place in Koçarlı, and we checked it. We also wanted to see the current state of the river while passing by. We are already engaged in farming. Flooding is really bad. If they could prevent this, if they could contain it, if they could store it somewhere, it would be good for the farmers. The drought is bad for farmers; they can't provide water. Because water cannot be supplied, it becomes difficult for farmers in the summer. That’s why we are happy that the Menderes is like this, but if the State Hydraulic Works could do a bit more, especially if they had improved the riverbeds better in the summer, it would be better. Generally, they don’t pay much attention to the riverbeds. Especially, the DSİ needs to take care of the riverbeds in the summer.'
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
