Flood Management in Türkiye

Türkiye applied to become a member state of the European Economic Union in 1958, and Türkiye became a candidate country to the EU in 1999. The Accession Partnership document (APD) was accepted officially by the EU Council in March 2001. Within the scope of the APD as a road map document, Türkiye prepared national programs for the adoption of the Acquis Communautaire.

Environment and Climate Change Chapter numbered 27 has been opened to negotiations at the date of 21st December 2009. One of the priorities in the field of environment relates to the European Flood Action Programme (EFAP). The EU, Floods Directive (FD) and the associated acquis provide the mechanism for preventing of flooding on the urban areas use through the process of flood risk management planning. Türkiye is working through the accession negotiations to enact this legislation.

The legislative and regulatory framework regarding flood management is developed in line with the Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) of The European Parliament and of The Council. By-law on Preparation, Implementation and Monitoring Flood Management Plans, which transposes floods directive (excluding transboundary provisions) has been published on 12.05.2016. Preparation of the Flood Management Plans has been started in 2013 and studies are accelerated, with the aim of completing FRMPs for all 25 basins in Türkiye until 2025. As of 2022, 23 FRMPs has been completed.

The EU Floods Directive

In 2007, Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks entered into force. It aims to establish a framework to decrease the detrimental effects of floods and manage the risks that floods pose to human health, the environment, cultural heritage, and economic activity. The EU’s Floods Directive (FD) is the most substantial piece of European flood risk management policy, which also requires Türkiye to adapt the directive and prepare an individual implementation plan in accordance with its accession process.