Turkish gov't allocated mere 800,000 liras for Istanbul earthquake analysis in 2021

The Turkish government allocated a mere 800,000 Turkish Liras (approximately $96,400) for earthquake preparedness work in Istanbul in the year of 2021, the Environment and Urbanization Ministry said its response to a parliamentary question. Istanbul is expected to be struck by a massive jolt that's predicted to devastate the city's structures.

Friday September 03 2021 02:52 pm

Duvar English

The Turkish government allocated a mere 800,000 Turkish Liras ($96,400) in 2021 as part of preparedness works in the face of a long-awaited Istanbul earthquake that's expected to devastate the city, Environment and Urbanization Ministry Murat Kurum said.

Responding to a parliamentary question filed by main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmaker Sezgin Tanrıkulu, the minister said that the government was working on creating an academic inventory of all buildings in the city and their risk levels.

"Our ministry has so far worked to determine the earthquake endurance level of 3,179 public buildings across the country and assign reinforcements where needed," Kurum said.

The Istanbul Land Registry allocated 210,794 liras to earthquake endurance analysis in 2020, the minister said, adding that this budget was bumped to 800,000 liras in 2021.

The long-awaited earthquake is expected to create massive material devastation in the city, and experts often note that the construction in the metropolis is unlikely to be prepared for the quake.