684 sinkholes recorded across Konya Plain in Türkiye, affecting farmers

Hundreds of sinkholes have been recorded in the province of Konya in Türkiye, affecting farmlands and nearby residential areas in the Konya Plain.

According to Kuya Kim Atienza’s report on “24 Oras,” Friday, the Konya Technical University has recorded more than 20 large sinkholes that have appeared in the area in the past year alone.

Some of the sinkholes measure over 100 feet in width and depth. In total, 684 sinkholes have now been documented across the Konya Plain.

Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority has expressed concern over the rapid increase in sinkhole formations in the region, especially since the Konya Plain is one of the country’s major wheat-producing areas.

Experts note that sinkholes can form for various reasons, including prolonged water saturation in limestone-rich soil, heavy rainfall, flash floods, or earthquakes. Human activities can also contribute to their formation.

In the case of the Konya Plain, specialists point to climate change, prolonged drought conditions, and extensive groundwater extraction as key factors.

Authorities have noted that the unpredictable nature of sinkhole formation has led some farmers to leave affected areas for safety reasons.

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News