Surge in sinkholes in 'Turkey's granary' endangers agriculture

Turkey’s fertile Konya Plain, dubbed "the country’s granary," is facing a surge in sinkholes.

These sinkholes, which vary in size, threaten agricultural activities and are increasingly getting closer to residential areas. The latest count shows their number has surpassed 2,600, primarily due to drought and the uncontrolled use of underground water.

The most affected districts include Cihanbeyli, Yunak, Kulu, Sarayonu, and Kadinhani, known for their high cereal production.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Sinkhole Application Research Center at Konya Technical University are closely monitoring the development of sinkholes and seeking preventive measures.

Current data indicates that sinkholes are now advancing toward more critical locations such as populated regions, energy investment areas, and places with high agricultural activity, unlike their previous emergence in mostly isolated areas.

Experts say that while sinkholes will always exist, human activities contribute to their increasing numbers.