Özgür Ferhat questions the State's action plan to prevent severe floods in fire-affected villages

Residents of villages affected by the 2023 summer wildfires—Narlıköy, Kozlardere, Susurköy, and Büyük Müsellim in the Rodopi region—are urging the government to take immediate action against the increasing risk of severe flooding.

Ferhat Özgür, a New Left Party MP, has raised these concerns in parliament, submitting a formal inquiry to the Ministers of Environment and Energy, and Interior. He stressed the urgent need to accelerate flood prevention efforts, particularly given the exacerbating effects of climate change.

Local residents report that riverbeds remain uncleared, and the risk of flooding grows with heavy rainfall. Özgür emphasized that the limited work carried out in Narlıköy is insufficient to address the growing danger. Residents have repeatedly called for emergency measures, stating that the inaction has led to significant financial and emotional distress.

In his inquiry, Özgür posed the following questions:

1. Will urgent flood prevention projects be implemented to protect settlements during heavy rainfall?
2. What is the status of the planned log dams in the “Arabacıköy-Yassıköy-Narlıköy-Susurköy-Bulatköy” area?
3. At what stage is the construction of the three sediment-retaining dams in Narlıköy?
4. What is the progress of the five sediment-retaining dams planned for Susurköy and Kozlardere?
5. Özgür stated that he expects prompt and clear answers to these questions, emphasizing, “Effective intervention is essential to prevent further suffering for our citizens. The threat in this region is too severe to tolerate any negligence.”

Residents now await a swift response from the authorities to address these critical concerns.