Beside Istanbul: Torn Lands and Gathered Houses
The residents of Bakacak Neighborhood in the Hendek district of Sakarya are facing a serious problem as the area is shifting due to the water and quarry work that has been ongoing since 2017. The shifts have accelerated in 2020, causing roads to collapse and houses to lean dangerously.
Citizens living in fear of their lives in the disaster-prone area are leaving the neighborhood, while others are urging for the completion of a new road route as soon as possible. Those who depend on hazelnut production and need to access their fields for work are struggling to navigate the collapsed roads with their vehicles. Saffet Sarı, the headman of the neighborhood, is calling for an alternative route to be constructed urgently to address the current situation.
Halit Dündar, a resident of the neighborhood, expressed concern over the landslides that have affected his house and the roads leading to it. He stated that the shifts have made his house and land inaccessible, and the collapsed roads are causing major inconvenience to the community.
According to Saffet Sarı, the headman of Bakacak Neighborhood, the situation has worsened since 2017 and authorities were notified. In 2020, the shifts intensified, leading to the involvement of AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority). As a result, several houses have become uninhabitable, prompting the authorities to take action to seal off the affected areas.
Sarı emphasized the urgent need for a new road construction project to address the ongoing issues, citing the impact of water seepage and quarry operations on the stability of the neighborhood. He called for swift action to alleviate the troubles faced by the residents and expedite the implementation of the project.
The residents of Bakacak Neighborhood are hoping for a prompt resolution to the shifting issue to ensure their safety and well-being in the community.Authorities have been urged to take immediate action to address the collapsing roads and leaning houses before the situation worsens further.
