Surge in sinkholes in 'Turkey's granary' endangers agriculture

Over 2,600 sinkholes in Turkey's Konya Plain are threatening agriculture and residential areas, driven by drought and excessive water use.

Transcript

00:00There has been a proliferation of sinkholes in the southern Konya region known as the

00:06breadbasket of Turkey.

00:08They pose a threat to agricultural activities and are now getting closer to population areas.

00:13The latest count shows their number has now exceeded 2,600.

00:19Most happen as a result of drought and uncontrolled use of underground water.

00:23The director of the Sinkhole Application Research Center said that the phenomenon will always

00:28exist but human activities are causing their number to rise.