Invasive water hyacinths have virtually made the Orontes River invisible

Water lilies, which are remarkable with their appearance in Hatay and reach heights of 1 meter, covered the surface of the Orontes River, making the river invisible. Originating in Lebanon and reaching Turkey by crossing the Syrian border, the section of the Orontes River in Hatay started to be covered by water lilies in patches. Water lilies made the river invisible in the part where the Orontes River passes through the Reyhanlı district. It is known that water lilies, which create a striking image on the Orontes River known for its reverse flow, prevent the water from receiving oxygen and light, leading to the death of fish and other aquatic creatures. It is also known that the invasive water lilies, with their high water absorption rate, harm agricultural irrigation.

“When I came here 2 months ago, there was flowing water and no water lilies”
Referring to the damage caused by water lilies to agricultural irrigation, 46-year-old Süleyman Çelik said, “When I came here 2 months ago, there was flowing water and no water lilies. Now, water lilies have covered everything. I think these water lilies absorb too much water. It has become like this in 2 months. I can see very little water now, but there was plenty of water 2 months ago. It has a beautiful view but it depletes the water. It’s a bad thing for nature. Due to the presence of water lilies, the water is insufficient for agricultural lands. Because water lilies absorb excessive water,” he said.

“Endless water lilies”
20-year-old Mehmet Küreşoğlu, who stated that water lilies exploit the water, said, “Until 2 months ago, there was water flowing in the Orontes River. As you can see at the beginning of the summer, water lilies are starting slowly. Since they absorb water suddenly, they multiply. There are endless water lilies. These water lilies need to be cleaned. Because there are agricultural lands in the future. Water lilies cannot absorb water because they exploit the water. It has a nice appearance but also harms farmers.”