Strange phenomenon observed in Turkey’s Konya Plain; Hundreds of massive sinkholes appear in farm fields
This crisis did not arise suddenly, but has gradually worsened over the past many years.
New Delhi: The Konya Plain, known as Turkey’s breadbasket, is currently facing a serious problem. This region produces the most wheat in Turkey. The total agricultural area of the Konya Plain is approximately 2.6 million hectares, accounting for 11.2% of Turkey’s total agricultural land.
Due to overproduction and excessive groundwater use, the area is experiencing drought. This is causing hundreds of sinkholes to form in the ground, ruining the fields.
684 Sinkholes Identified In Konya Basin So Far
According to a new report by Turkey’s disaster management agency AFAD, 684 such sinkholes have been identified in the Konya Basin so far.
According to the Sinkhole Research Centre of Konya Technical University, there were 299 sinkholes in 2017, which increased to 2,550 by 2021. In 2025, the formation of about 20 new large sinkholes was confirmed. These sinkholes are reported to be more than 30 meters deep and up to 100 feet wide.
Crisis Exacerbated By Administrative Neglect
This crisis did not arise suddenly, but has gradually worsened over the past 20 years due to the neglect of farmers and the administration.
The problem intensified in 2025, as drought and groundwater depletion increased significantly. According to the AFAD report, there are 534 sinkholes in the Karapınar district alone, and these are mainly located in rural and agricultural areas.
Experts say that this is a man-made disaster, and negligence has further aggravated the situation.
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