Meeting on water scarcity flooded by river in Turkey’s Antalya

ANTALYA

A meeting on water scarcity and drought in the Mediterranean province of Antalya on July 11 was ironically flooded by a nearby river after it rose above its normal level, Doğan News Agency has reported.

The meeting was held in Antalya’s Manavgat district at a restaurant located on the banks of Manavgat River. The event was hosted by the Manavgat Chamber of Agriculture and gathered many officials including the district’s governor, Nazmi Günlü.

Officials launched the meeting after scarcity and drought in the region became a pressing issue, emphasizing that agricultural products in the province were damaged due to a recent drought and matched with the problem of irrigation.  

“This meeting and the issues that will be discussed are important for our district,” Günlü said. 

The president of the Manavgat Chamber of Agriculture, Rasim Metin, said they were currently holding meetings with the regional directorates of the Agricultural Insurance Pool of Turkey (TARSİM) to find a solution to the problem. Another top agriculture official said the products had been left in plantations as they were not collected due to the drought. 

As the meeting was continuing, the river’s water level rose, with tables prepared for an upcoming meal being almost half-submerged in water. The meeting was temporarily suspended and was launched again after the water was removed.