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Turkish Heatwave Peaks at 50.5°C, Fueling Wildfires and Water Rationing

A recent UN study warns that 88 percent of Turkey faces high desertification risk under accelerating climate pressures.

Un hélicoptère largue de l’eau pour éteindre un feu de forêt dans le district d’Aksu à Antalya, dans le sud de la Turquie, le 25 juillet 2025.
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Overview

  • On July 25, Silopi in Şırnak province recorded a national high of 50.5°C, eclipsing the 49.5°C mark set in August 2023.
  • Data from the General Directorate of Meteorology shows 132 stations across Turkey have broken July temperature records during the ongoing heatwave.
  • Uncontained wildfires in Karabük province have forced village evacuations while a separate blaze in Eskisehir killed ten forest workers and volunteer rescuers.
  • Çeşme municipal authorities have imposed nightly tap water cuts from 23:00 to 06:00 in tourist zones to manage dwindling supplies.
  • Neighboring Greece and other Southeast European countries are experiencing similar extreme heat and wildfire outbreaks, signaling a regional climate emergency.