Damage Assessment Launched for Hail-Damaged Agricultural Lands in Tuz Gölü Plain
ŞEREFLİKOÇHİSAR (Ankara), (DHA) – Damage assessment studies will be carried out in the agricultural lands of the Tuz Gölü Plain in Şereflikoçhisar district of Ankara, which were severely damaged by hailstorms in recent days.
Severe hailstorms recently affected the Şereflikoçhisar district of Ankara. Following the heavy damage to barley and wheat fields, which were nearing harvest, the Şereflikoçhisar Municipality and Ankara Metropolitan Municipality have initiated efforts to support the affected producers.
Şereflikoçhisar Mayor Mustafa Koçak met with farmers from the Tuz Gölü Plain in their fields and held an emergency meeting. Emphasizing the need for a non-political solidarity, Koçak instructed the agricultural engineers within the municipality to immediately conduct damage assessments on all affected fields.
All Resources to Be Mobilized
Mayor Koçak stated that they would assist the farmers, saying, “Our positions exist to support those in need. Otherwise, there is no point in sitting idly in those offices. Within the framework of the law, as a municipality, we will mobilize all our available resources. Make sure to prepare your damage assessment reports through the District Directorate of Agriculture and the Chamber of Agriculture. Afterwards, we will initiate support applications. Our aim is to make you feel the warm embrace of our state and municipality.”
Instruction from Mansur Yavaş
During the meeting, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mansur Yavaş also connected by phone, stating, “As long as there are no casualties, everything else can be compensated. I have given instructions to the Rural Development Department, and with God’s will, we will do whatever is necessary to the end. Do not feel alone.”
The hailstorms caused significant damage to agricultural areas, particularly affecting barley and wheat crops that were close to harvest. Farmers in the region have expressed their concerns about the substantial losses they have incurred. The rapid response from local and metropolitan municipalities aims to provide immediate relief and long-term support to help these farmers recover.
The damage assessment process will involve detailed inspections of the affected fields by agricultural experts to determine the extent of the losses. This information will be crucial for the allocation of aid and the implementation of recovery programs. The municipalities are working in coordination with other relevant government agencies to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to the disaster.
This initiative underscores the commitment of the local government to its agricultural community, recognizing the vital role farmers play in the regional economy. The solidarity shown by both municipal leaders highlights a unified approach to addressing the challenges faced by the farming sector in the wake of natural disasters.
The affected farmers are urged to cooperate fully with the assessment teams and provide all necessary documentation to facilitate the support process. The municipalities have assured that they will explore all possible avenues to mitigate the impact of the hailstorms and help farmers return to normalcy as quickly as possible.
The incident also brings to light the increasing vulnerability of agricultural practices to extreme weather events, emphasizing the need for robust disaster preparedness and recovery mechanisms. Authorities are also considering long-term strategies to enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector in the face of climate change.
Source: https://www.cnnturk.com/yerel-haberler/ankara/tuz-golu-ovasinda-doludan-zarar-goren-tarim-arazilerinde-hasar-tespit-calismasi-baslatiliyor-3431740
