Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
Storm Causes Damage Across Muğla
MUĞLA – Adverse weather conditions continued to affect Muğla province, with storms, heavy rainfall and strong winds causing disruptions in several districts. The severe weather, which intensified from Tuesday evening, negatively impacted daily life, coastal areas and agricultural zones, prompting warnings from authorities for citizens to remain cautious.
Severe Weather Affects Multiple Districts Across Muğla
Heavy snowfall in Fethiye’s Nif neighbourhood prompted highway maintenance teams to take action. Crews worked continuously to clear and salt roads to keep them open. Authorities urged drivers to exercise caution due to adverse weather conditions.
Following heavy rainfall across Muğla, dense fog that formed during the early morning hours of Wednesday reduced visibility to as low as 10 metres in some areas, making driving conditions difficult. Commuters travelling from surrounding neighbourhoods experienced delays, while traffic congestion and long vehicle queues were reported, particularly along theMuğla–Aydın highway where the fog was most intense.
In Fethiye’s Karaçulha neighborhood, residents reported that strong winds and heavy rain uprooted olive trees in garden areas along Karacalar Street. Information and images sent to the Fethiye TV WhatsApp tip line indicated that checks in the area were continuing throughout the rainfall. Authorities warned citizens to remain cautious against storm conditions and heavy rain.
In Muğla’s Menteşe district, a tree uprooted by the storm fell onto Uğur Mumcu Boulevard, completely blocking traffic. Teams were dispatched to the area and began work to remove the fallen tree and reopen the road. Long vehicle queues formed during the closure.
Storms and heavy rainfall affected agricultural areas in the Kumluova neighborhood of Seydikemer district. Several greenhouses were damaged, and producers reported possible crop losses due to hail. Despite ongoing intermittent rainfall, farmers worked to protect their greenhouses and minimize damage.
Further assessments revealed that approximately 100 acres of greenhouses were damaged after heavy rain turned into a storm accompanied by hail and a whirlwind. Initial findings showed that crops were also affected, with producers making intensive efforts to secure remaining structures.
Seydikemer District Governor Mustafa Dilekli, AK Party Muğla Member of Parliament Yakup Otgöz, and Seydikemer Mayor Bayram Önder Akdenizli carried out on-site inspections in the damaged greenhouse areas. Officials stated that damage assessment work had begun and that teams continued field operations while rainfall persisted intermittently.
In Dalaman district, strong winds blew off the roof of a parking lot during the storm. The incident, captured on security cameras, caused material damage to parked vehicles. No injuries were reported.
In Datça’s Karaköy area, a man was swept away by floodwaters following heavy rainfall. Search and rescue efforts involving fire brigade, gendarmerie, coast guard, and MAG-AME SAR teams lasted approximately one hour. The man was found alive, clinging to bushes near a riverbank, and was taken to Datça State Hospital due to the risk of hypothermia.
Source: Fethiye TV
Landslide disrupts water supply in several Fethiye neighbourhoods and closes roads
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Following heavy rainfall in Fethiye, a landslide occurred in the area between Kızılbel and Söğütlü neighbourhoods, causing large rock fragments and soil to slide onto the road network. The landslide led to the closure of the route connecting Patlangıç Mahallesi Topçular Mevkii, Kızılbel–Söğütlü and Yanıklar Mahallesi, bringing traffic in the area to a halt.
In addition to blocking roads, the landslide damaged two main water supply lines serving Kızılbel, İncirköy, Koru and Üzümlü neighbourhoods. In a statement, the MUSKİ General Directorate said that water was being temporarily supplied to the affected areas by tankers to prevent inconvenience to residents.
Fethiye Municipality teams were dispatched to the scene with multiple crews and construction machinery to clear the fallen rocks and soil and to make the area safe again. Once debris removal work is completed, MUSKİ teams will begin repair work on the damaged water lines to restore normal service as quickly and safely as possible.
Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca said that safety was the top priority in the area, stating:
“We are meticulously and continuously continuing our work in the field to ensure transportation safety. While transportation is impossible after the landslide, all necessary safety measures have been taken in the area.”
Source: Fethiye TV
Powerful Tornadoes and Storms Cause Widespread Damage in Antalya
Antalya, TURKEY – Powerful tornadoes and severe storms struck the southwestern province of Antalya overnight on January 26, causing widespread destruction across the districts of Kumluca, Finike, Aksu and Manavgat.
In Kumluca, a tornado that moved in from the sea hit the Mavikent and Yenice neighbourhoods, severely damaging greenhouses, rooftops, solar panels and energy transmission lines. Nearly 150 acres of greenhouses were affected, leaving large areas without electricity. Kumluca Chamber of Agriculture head Hidayet Kökce said the storm struck after sunset, which helped prevent injuries as most workers had already left the fields.
In Finike, a coastal tornado overturned traffic signs before moving along Yeni Elmalı Road, damaging greenhouses and causing significant destruction to houses along its path.
In Aksu, a tornado formed over the Aksu River, destroying boats worth millions of liras. Several vessels were smashed together or thrown ashore, while piers and riverside facilities were left in ruins.
Across Antalya, strong winds caused roofs to collapse, sending tiles flying and damaging windows and solar water heating systems. In Kepez, the roof of a hall collapsed during football preparations, narrowly avoiding injuries.
Damage assessment teams were deployed early in the morning, particularly in Kumluca, where the worst impact was recorded in the Mavikent, Beykonak, Kum, Toptaş and Sarıkavak neighbourhoods.
Kumluca District Governor Bahadır Güneş said, “Some of our greenhouses and the roofs of two vineyard houses were damaged. There were no deaths or injuries. Damage assessment work began in the field early this morning. Once it is completed, the necessary assistance will be provided.”
Emergency crews continue to restore electricity, clear debris and support residents as recovery efforts get underway.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Barn Fire in Seydikemer Leaves Eight Sheep and One Donkey Dead
Seydikemer, MUĞLA – Eight sheep and one donkey died in a barn fire that broke out in the Dereköy neighbourhood of Seydikemer district in Muğla. The blaze started for an as yet undetermined reason in a two-storey barn.
Following reports from residents who noticed the flames, teams from the Seydikemer Fire Department of the Metropolitan Municipality were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control before it spread to nearby houses.
Despite the rapid response, eight sheep and one donkey in the barn perished in the fire, while approximately 100 bales of hay were completely destroyed. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire.
Turkey Sees Record-Breaking Weather Extremes in 2025
TURKEY – The General Directorate of Meteorology, under the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, has released its 2025 annual extreme weather report, revealing dramatic records in temperature, rainfall, snowfall, wind and sea conditions across Turkey.
The hottest temperature of the year was recorded on July 25 in Silopi, Şırnak, where thermometers reached 50.5°C, marking one of the highest temperatures ever measured in the country.
At the opposite extreme, the coldest day of 2025 occurred on February 25 in Yüksekova, Hakkari, where temperatures at Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport dropped to –35.1°C, highlighting the sharp climatic contrasts across Turkey.
The heaviest daily rainfall was registered on October 23 at Gökçeada Airport in Çanakkale, with 167 kilograms of rain per square metre falling in a single day, reflecting the intensity of regional storm systems.
Snowfall was most severe in the northeast. The deepest snow cover, measuring 280 centimetres, was recorded on March 21 at Ovit Plateau in the İkizdere district of Rize, significantly affecting transport and local conditions.
Wind records were also broken on February 13 at Kop Ski Center in Bayburt, where gusts reached 176.4 kilometres per hour, demonstrating the extreme winter conditions in Turkey’s high-altitude regions.
Sea temperatures showed wide variation throughout the year. The warmest sea temperature, 32.2°C, was measured on July 24 at the Yeni Liman Main Breakwater Lighthouse in Alanya on the Mediterranean coast.
The coldest sea temperature, 6.1°C, was recorded on February 2 at the Fishermen’s Harbor Secondary Breakwater Lighthouse in Arhavi on the Black Sea coast.
Meteorologists said the data reflects the growing intensity and variability of weather patterns across Turkey, underlining the increasing impact of climate change on the country’s environment.
Source: Daily Sabah
Off-Road and Wildlife Support Event Held in Erzurum
An event organised in cooperation with the Erzurum Governor’s Office and an off-road nature sports club brought together adventure enthusiasts to both support wildlife during harsh winter conditions and promote alternative winter sports in eastern Turkey.
Participants first gathered at Havuzbaşı City Square before travelling by 4×4 vehicles to the Söğütlü neighbourhood of Aziziye district, where heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures continue to impact daily life and natural habitats. As the convoy crossed mountainous, snow-covered terrain, some vehicles became stuck in deep snow and required assistance from other off-road drivers.
During the journey, animal feed brought by the group was distributed at designated points to help wildlife struggling to find food during the winter months.
After the feeding activity, the group moved to the fully frozen Söğütlü Pond, where snow rafting was held on the icy surface. Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi also took part in the event, which attracted strong interest from nature lovers and winter sports enthusiasts.
Refreshments were served during the event, while off-road vehicles worked together to safely navigate difficult sections of the route.
Speaking to journalists, Governor Çiftçi said the primary aim of the event was to support animals facing food shortages during winter. He added that similar activities have been held in previous years and highlighted that Erzurum offers many winter sports beyond traditional skiing.
“Our goal is to show that Erzurum is suitable for a wide variety of winter activities. At the same time, we want to enjoy nature and contribute to the promotion of our province,” he said.
The head of the organising club stated that participants reached speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour while sliding down slopes toward the frozen pond, adding that such events help attract both domestic and international tourists.
The event concluded with participants opening a Turkish flag on the frozen pond, marking the end of a day that combined environmental awareness with winter tourism promotion.
Source: Daily Sabah
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