Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci made statements after the meeting held at Şanlıurfa Security and Emergency Situations Coordination Center (GAMER) with Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, Minister of Treasury and Finance Nureddin Nebati.
Starting his speech by saying "get well soon" to Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman and Malatya, Kirişci wished God's mercy to 12 citizens, 2 of whom were in Şanlıurfa and 14 of them in Adıyaman, and a speedy recovery to the injured.
Pointing out that the geography where the flood disaster took place also contains certain risks, Kirişci said that the effects of global warming and climate change are felt in Turkey as well as in the rest of the world. Reminding that a study was started under the name of “National Risk Shield” model on March 3 in order to prevent these effects, Kirişci said, “Hopefully, with these studies, more resilient, resilient and sustainable systems will be built in the face of natural disasters. Unfortunately, we lost our lives after the rains, which started as of yesterday morning, and the pre-warnings of the Meteorology were made on time and at the dose. Şanlıurfa's average precipitation for many years is 460 kilograms, and the average in March is 63 kilograms, but exactly twice this amount of precipitation has met the lands of Şanlıurfa in 2 days. This means that if such a precipitation repeats 4 times, the annual average precipitation of our Şanlıurfa will be met in this way.” he said.
Underlining that the rainfall, which should be spread over a one-year period, meets the soil at short intervals, makes things difficult, Kirişci said that this is an extraordinary situation.
“EYYUBİYE, HALİLİYE AND KARAKÖPRÜ ARE THE MOST AFFECTED DISTRICTS”
Pointing out that the geography in which Şanlıurfa is located also has strategic importance in terms of agricultural production, Kirişci said, “What is grown in this geography is also of great importance for our food supply security. Therefore, it is the desire of all of us that the works here be completed quickly and that it will cause the least damage to our agricultural production. It would not be right to talk about the final results of our friends' work in the field, since the flood and flood event continues, but I hope we will share their finalized versions with the public in the coming days." used his statements.
Stressing that Eyyübiye, Haliliye and Karaköprü are the most affected districts, Kirişci stated that some greenhouses in the Konuklu, Boydere and Kısas neighborhoods of Haliliye were damaged. In addition, Kirişci stated that there is a preliminary determination that there is damage in the areas planted with cereals in the neighborhoods of Durable, Doruç, Köprüce, Aşağıyarımca and Yenidogan in the Harran district, and made the following assessments:
“300 bee hives were damaged in Karaköprü district. The information that 8 bovine and 8 ovine animals perished is among the findings of our friends. Our teams, due to the continuation of the rains and the unsuitable terrain conditions, I hope that when the works that have not yet been completed are concluded, we will quickly help with the steps to be taken regarding the loss and damage of our citizens. Due to the flood, all our evacuation channels under the responsibility of DSI are currently open. On the Harran and Akçakale sides, where the evacuation channels downstream, there are occasional floods and disruptions in transportation as the evacuation channel exceeds their capacity. Şanlıurfa Akçakale road, the evacuation has overflowed due to some interventions made in the past on the evacuation and the transportation is closed on the main road.”
“DRIVES IN THE CITY ARE OPEN”
Pointing out that the creeks in the city are open and there is no congestion in front of them, Kirişci said, “However, due to the overflow of water from the bed of Karakoyun Stream, the basements of the Karakoyun and Akabe neighborhoods near the creek were flooded. With the interventions we have made there, the works on the discharge of the water accumulated on both sides of the stream into the stream will hopefully yield positive results.” he said.
Noting that the irrigation tunnels were closed for precautionary purposes after the rain, Kirişci said, “We have been informed before that the rain is expected to continue until the evening, but we have information that this will hopefully slow down and end at night. It is of great benefit for our citizens to heed the warnings of the authorities.” warned.
“DAMAGE ASSESSMENT STUDIES IN ADIYAMAN AND MALATYA”
Reminding that as DSI, they have made investments to protect 20 settlements and agricultural lands, especially in Şanlıurfa city center, with 21 stream improvement projects in the last 40 years, Kirişci said that if the said investments had not been made, a bigger disaster would have been faced today.
Kirişci stated that there were floods in some regions as a result of heavy rains in Adıyaman, and stated that pistachio, fig, mulberry orchards, wheat planted areas and greenhouses were damaged in Tut Sincik, Samsat and Kahta districts.
Pointing out that there is no loss of plant and animal production due to the flood disaster in Malatya, Kirişci noted that damage assessment studies continue in 3 provinces.