Date: May 2026
A powerful “supercell” storm that struck southeastern Turkey has caused widespread destruction in agricultural areas, particularly damaging pistachio orchards in Gaziantep.
Severe Weather Causes Major Agricultural Losses
The storm, which brought intense rainfall, hail, strong winds, and even localized tornado-like conditions, hit the region over the weekend, disrupting daily life and inflicting heavy losses on farmers.
Thousands of hectares of farmland were affected across Gaziantep and neighboring provinces, with pistachio trees suffering the most severe damage.
Pistachio Orchards Hit Hardest
Experts and local officials reported that many pistachio trees were uprooted, branches were broken, and fresh fruit shoots were destroyed.
Farmers stated that the trees were in a critical fruiting stage, making the impact particularly severe. In some areas, entire orchards were damaged, with reports of trees—some decades old—being torn out by the storm.
Initial assessments indicate that damage levels vary by location, with some villages experiencing up to 100% crop loss, while others reported partial destruction.
Widespread Impact Across Districts
The storm affected multiple districts, including Karkamış, Nizip, Oğuzeli, Araban, and Şehitkamil. Early field surveys show that more than 100 villages experienced agricultural damage.
Authorities have deployed teams to assess the scale of the destruction, with dozens of personnel conducting damage evaluations across the region.
Risk to Future Harvests
Agricultural experts warn that the damage could impact not only this year’s harvest but also production in the coming seasons. Loss of shoots and structural damage to trees may significantly reduce yields in future years.
Farmers, already affected by previous climate-related events such as frost and drought, expressed concern about recurring extreme weather and called for increased support and insurance coverage.
Source: Patronlar Dünyası/ Prepared by: İlayda gök