PRESS BULLETIN

(24.08.2023)

“DETECTION OF POTHOLE AREAS” PROJECT REACHES ITS’ FINAL STAGE

The fourth workshop, organized as part of the "Detection of Pothole Areas" project initiated by the Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), was held on August 23, 2023 in Konya with the participation of representatives of relevant institutions and organizations.

Within the scope of the ongoing Project carried out by Konya Provincial AFAD Directorate, the types of pothole formations will be modeled by classifying them occurring in the region. The boundaries of the geological units with lithological features suitable for the pothole formation will also be updated.

The share of anthropological factors such as structural geological elements, natural factors such as hydro-geological and meteorological conditions, excessive and uncontrolled groundwater use in the formation of potholes will be determined. As a result of the study, changes in the topography that give traces of pothole formation will be determined, and geological and geophysical analyzes and measurements will be made in areas that are likely to form potholes. In the light of all this data, a mathematical model will be created and the "Pothole Sensitivity Map" will be produced for Konya Province. After the produced map, the “Pothole Action Plan” will be prepared.

Geological, stratigraphic, structural, geochemical and hydrogeological studies were carried out as part of field studies. Geophysical studies, core drilling studies and result analysis evaluation studies were carried out for some districts.

In line with these goals and studies, workshops are organized with the participation of institutions and organizations. In this framework, the 1st workshop was held on June 21, 2023 with the agenda of Determining Problems and Actions According to the Pothole Sensitivity Map. The second workshop was held on July 12, 2023 with the agenda of Determining the Measures and Improvement Studies. The third workshop was held on July 26, 2023 with the agenda of Legislation, Problems and Suggestions. The fourth and final workshop was held on August 23, 2023 with the agenda of the outcomes. Governor of Konya Vahdettin ÖZKAN, Director General of AFAD Earthquake and Risk Reduction Prof. Dr. Orhan TATAR, senior executives of all relevant institutions attended the workshops.

In the final workshop, the decisions taken in the previous workshops were presented as the Workshop Final Report. The Pothole Awareness Map prepared by AFAD was shared, and action plans were created to identify and reveal the hazards and risks related to the working areas of institutions and organizations.

Governor Vahdettin Özkan stated that potholes are one of the most prioritized parameters in the risk analysis of cities and have a high risk score. Expressing that scientists and industry experts made evaluations together, Özkan said that the project is a model in this regard. Governor Özkan stated that the project constitutes a framework for both Konya and other provinces in terms of revealing scientific reasons, risks and means of intervention to eliminate risks, raising awareness in the society, and operationally activating public authorities.

Expressing his great pleasure that the Detection of Pothole Areas Project is carried out in Konya, Governor Özkan emphasized that the contribution of friends in the sectors is highly significant. Governor Özkan thanked the Director General of Earthquake and Risk Reduction Prof. Dr. Orhan Tatar, the representatives of the ministries, universities and municipalities. Underlining that the outputs of the project are a very important input in terms of looking to the future with confidence and the construction of the future, Governor Özkan wished that the project would be beneficial and lead people to live safely.

In the workshop where the results of the project were carried out in order to determine the causes of sinkhole formation and identify areas where sinkholes may occur, Prof. Dr. Fetullah Arık and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sefa Bilgilioğlu made presentations on the Project Field Studies and Project Map Production Model respectively.

In addition to Governor Vahdettin Özkan, Provincial Gendarme Commander Major General Şakir Uslu, Konya Metropolitan Municipality Secretary General Ercan Uslu, Director General of the Earthquake and Risk Reduction Prof. Dr. Orhan Tatar, Provincial Director of AFAD Provincial Yıldız Tosun, institution managers and academics attended the workshops.

Respectfully announced.

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE

DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

Press and Public Relations Department