The international workshop titled "Hydro-Meteorological Extremes in Changing Climate Conditions: Scientific Approaches and Applications," organized in collaboration between Erzurum Technical University (ETU) and the University of Bath, has begun. During the two-day workshop, hydro-meteorological risks caused by climate change, water management, drought, floods, and climate adaptation strategies will be discussed by national and international experts.
The workshop, held in the Prof. Dr. Muammer Yaylali Conference Hall, aims to bring together experts from different disciplines on a common platform to evaluate hydro-meteorological extreme events caused by changing climate conditions from scientific and applied perspectives. The opening program was attended by ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bulent Cakmak, Erzurum Deputy Governor Guher Sinem Buyuknalcaci, and Rauf Denktas University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Karaca, Acting General Director of Water Management Satuk Bugra Findik, Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality General Secretary Zafer Aynali, representatives of public institutions and organizations, and numerous academics and researchers participated.
Acting Governor Buyuknalcaci: "We Must Prepare Our Cities for the Risks of the Future"
Speaking at the program, Erzurum Acting Governor Guher Sinem Buyuknalcaci stated that the effects of climate change are now felt more clearly in daily life, and drew attention to the importance of planning cities in a way that can adapt to these new conditions. Stating that hydro-meteorological extreme events such as drought, floods, excessive rainfall, and temperature changes are not only a subject of academic study, Buyuknalcaci said that preventive approaches and scientific studies play a critical role in disaster management. Emphasizing that universities, public institutions, and local governments should conduct joint studies to make cities more resilient, Buyuknalcaci stated that the scientific outputs of the workshop will provide significant contributions to decision-makers.
Rector Cakmak: "The Link Between Science and Practice Must Be Strengthened"
ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bulent Cakmak stated that climate change is a global problem with not only environmental but also economic and social dimensions. He noted that hydro-meteorological extreme events affect many areas, from urban infrastructure to water resources, and said that universities have the responsibility not only to produce scientific knowledge but also to transform this knowledge for the benefit of society. Emphasizing the importance of transferring scientific data to practice in climate change adaptation efforts, Cakmak stated that the workshop, which brought together experts from different disciplines, would contribute to the development of new collaborations and the presentation of common solution proposals.
Acting Director General of Water Management Findik: "We Must Manage Water More Efficiently and Sustainably"
Acting Director General of Water Management Satuk Bugra Findik also drew attention to the effects of climate change on water resources in his speech, saying that irregularities in rainfall patterns, increasing temperatures, and extreme weather events necessitate new approaches in water management.
Stating that drought and flood risks should be monitored using scientific methods, Findik said that the main problem today is not using more water, but managing existing water resources more efficiently, sustainably, and resiliently. Noting that water management in Turkiye is carried out with a basin-based approach, Findik emphasized that increasing water efficiency, developing drought management plans, and strengthening flood early warning systems are among the fundamental elements of climate change adaptation efforts. Highlighting the importance of collaboration between scientific knowledge and practice, Findik expressed his belief that the workshop would yield significant outcomes in this regard.
First Session Held
Following the opening speeches, the first session of the workshop was held under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Ercan Kahya, a faculty member at Istanbul Technical University.
In the session, Prof. Dr. Thomas Rodding Kjeldsen from the University of Bath, together with his project partner Prof. Dr. Fatih Tosunoglu, a faculty member at ETU, shared the rainfall frequency models they developed for the design of critical infrastructures under changing environmental conditions with the participants. Prof. Dr. Ismail Yucel from Middle East Technical University evaluated climate extremes in Turkiye within the scope of CMIP6-based high-resolution regional climate simulations, while Prof. Dr. Omer Lutfi Sen from Istanbul Technical University addressed the relationship between atmospheric rivers and floods in the Euphrates and Tigris Basins.
During the two-day workshop, the performance of drought indicators in different climate zones, flood risks created by climate change in cities, uncertainties in hydrological and climate models, urban resilience to climate-induced extreme events, and snow cover in changing climate conditions will be discussed.
