Turkey Records Highest Rainfall in 66 Years

October 29, 2026 · Gıda Bülteni

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Turkey received 741.6 kilograms of rainfall per square meter in the past water year, reaching the highest level in the last 66 years.

Rainfall Record for the Last 66 Years

According to official data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Turkey reached its highest rainfall amount in the last 66 years during the past water year. The published Climate, Phenological Status, and Irrigation Monitoring Statistics report documented an average of 741.6 kilograms of rainfall per square meter between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026. The rainfall amount, with a long-term average of 573.4 kilograms, had remained at 422.5 kilograms in the previous water year. Thus, rainfall across the country increased by 76% compared to last year and by 29% compared to long-term averages.

Regional Distribution and Highlights

According to ministry statistics, annual rainfall in all seven geographical regions surpassed the long-term average. The Mediterranean Region recorded the highest water year rainfall in the last 66 years, Eastern Anatolia in the last 38 years, Central Anatolia in the last 15 years, the Aegean in the last 11 years, and the Black Sea in the last 10 years. The highest increase relative to their averages was observed in the Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia regions at 45%. On a provincial basis, the most significant jump was recorded in Şırnak; rainfall in the city exceeded the long-term average by 80%, setting a record.

Yields and Diseases in Plant Production

The heavy rainfall, which increased soil moisture, generally supported the development of cereals and other field crops, and the season concluded without widespread drought. However, excessive rainfall did not result in high yields in every region. In the Aegean Region, excessive rainfall and hail damage in the spring led to growth retardation and bacterial and fungal diseases. In the Mediterranean, drainage inadequacy and lodging in plants were observed, while in the Eastern Anatolia Region, diseases such as root rot, yellow rust, and Septoria leaf spot caused yield losses in some production areas.

Occupancy Rate of Irrigation Dams

The most tangible contribution of the rainfall record to the agricultural production infrastructure was seen in surface water reserves. In line with the data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, as of October 5, 2026, the active occupancy rate of irrigation dams nationwide rose to 56.7%. The institution's assessment emphasized that this recovery in dam basins provided critical security for irrigated agricultural lands in the 2026-2027 agricultural production season and significantly alleviated drought pressure.

Regional Risks and the 2027 Season

Despite annual records, regional imbalances did not completely eliminate drought risk. While Kocaeli and Sakarya received more than three times their average rainfall in September, Rize measured 185.8 kilograms; conversely, Mardin received only 0.4 kilograms of rain. Insufficient rainfall and high temperatures in Aydın, İzmir, Manisa, and Karaman continue to pose a local drought risk. The General Directorate of Meteorology stated that agricultural drought is measured by root moisture, while the Ministry announced that monitoring studies at the provincial, district, and basin levels would continue for the 2026-2027 season.

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