The waste of large amounts of drinking water as a result of burst water pipes drew harsh reaction from Ankara citizens suffering from a serious water shortage and drought


With its four-and-half-million residents, the capital of modern Turkey, Ankara is experiencing one of the gravest water shortages in its history, putting the lives of its residents in danger of epidemic diseases. The Greater Ankara Municipality yesterday announced that the city will not get water for at least three days following flooding due to burst water pipes late Monday amid Ankara residents called for the resignation of Mayor Melih Gökçek who has held office since 1994.

The Ministry of Education is still considering postponing the opening of schools to protect students from disease due to the water scarcity. Meanwhile the rectors of the universities located in Ankara also asked to postpone start of term. There are some districts in Ankara that have not received water for more than four days. The government, on the other hand, made no further comment on the issue, as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told reporters that he's got water at home and the situation is exaggerated by the media.

Ankara's water problem turned into a nightmare with recent flooding that hit the city for the second time in two days. After the potable water pipeline attached to the İvedik treatment plant burst Saturday and caused severe flooding and damage in Ankara's Macunköy area, the capital's Demetevler area also suffered from flooding Monday night.

The waste of large amounts of potable water as a result of the flooding drew harsh reaction from Ankara citizens suffering from a serious water shortage and drought. The residents called on Ankara Mayor Melih Gökçek to resign.

The potable water pipes that belong to the İvedik treatment plant burst on Saturday and liters of drinking water poured into the streets of Macunköy where numerous cars and shops were seriously damaged. Residents of the capital currently get running water in two-day intervals.

While shock at the situation was still fresh, news of more flooding came from Ankara's Demetevler district. One of the water mains of the Ankara Water Works (ASKİ) burst in Demetevler Monday night, incurring huge damage to a number of houses and work places.

The drinking water poured into the streets for around 50 minutes and people living in the area reacted to the situation by calling on Gökçek to resign. They also said that the water cuts were not a solution to Ankara's water problem.



No water for Ankara in three days:

The Greater Ankara Municipality meanwhile announced that the repair works couldn't be completed before 36 hours and water couldn't be supplied to all of Ankara for three days, reported the Anatolia news agency. The repair works will last 36 hours and another 36 hours are needed for water to reach the network. Water cuts will thus last three days and cover all of Ankara. After three days, it will be decided on whether the previously scheduled water cuts program will be re-implemented. Developments will be announced to the public, said municipal officials.

That's misfortune for the residents of Ankara.. I'm really sorry for them.. While they are suffering from serious water shortages that is caused by global warming, those unfortunate burst water pipes caused a serious damage in the city..

i was in Ankara then it was a nightmare now i hate the city
by the way we didn't have any water for at least one week not just for three days