Due to the rising pond of Ilısu Dam, the areas where Basur and Garzan Stream, as well as Botan and Dicle Valley, have been flooded, so far, at least 50 villages have been completely submerged. While the dam waters came all the way to Diyarbakır borders,  a large part of Hasankeyf, which has a history of 12 thousand years, has also been submerged. As the damage caused by the rising dam water grows, environmentalists continue to call for the opening of dam covers and let the river flow freely.

 

Following the calls of 94 artists and writers with the Hasankeyf Coordination who came to visit Hasankefy one more time and investigte the villages submerged, they told about their observations to the Mesopotamian Agency (MA).

 

Archaeologists Association Istanbul Branch President Yiğit Ozar, who is on the delegation, stated that the destruction was very significant and visible, said: "History is unfortunately disappearing day by day. The historical buildings that made Hasankeyf special were taken away from the people under the name of protection. A monument connects with the people in the lands it was built, helps the people to connect to their past. This is sort of a memory. And this is the breaking of the memory." Noting that the transportation is an effort to legitimize destruction and this should be mentioned at every opportunity, Ozar said: "The dam has kept water but we have seen villages as well as archeological sites that can be saved. So the struggle must continue."

 

THE FIRST OF THE DAMS BUILT FOR SECURITY

 

Reminding of the regulation about the transfer of waters to the companies in 2003, Prof. Dr. Beyza Üstün said the free waters of Dicle was made a present to the capital with the Ilısdam. Üstün emphasizing that Botan Stream, Garzan and Başur Stream, as well as Dicle were also made a present to the capital, said: "Ilısu is the first of the dams that were built for security reasons apart from being made a present to the capital. People had to leave the region. This is another kind of dispossession of the people."

 

'IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE'

 

Üstün stating that the people of Hasankeyf was forced to migration twice after 70's, emphasizing the importance of the continuation of the struggle, said: "The history lies beneath the stones right now. People were forced into migration."

 

'IT HAS A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE'

 

Nazmi Algan, Member of the Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Physicians, stated that they consider it important to visit the region on the spot as physicians. Expressing that being displaced has a negative effect on the people's healths, said: "There are problems not only in terms of human life, but also in terms of living life. For example, a chicken is threatened by drowning due to sudden water rising. People have to run for their lives and leave their homes."

 

'THE DAM WILL SPREAD DISEASE'

 

Pointing out to another important point of the dam in terms of public health, Algan said: "Waste water and sewage water of 4 cities are poured into the dam.  Unfortunately, only half of these waters go through biological treatment. And the stagnant water in the dam will emit disease. Measures must be taken as soon as possible. Dam covers should be opened completely and rivers should flow free. 

 

 

MA / Metin Yoksu