The major flood disaster that occurred in the Western Black Sea region on August 11, 2021 deeply affected the Bozkurt district of Kastamonu. Dozens of buildings were severely damaged in this disaster, 65 people lost their lives, and 7 people are still missing. With the investments made in the past 3 years, the Bozkurt district was virtually revived. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who visited Bozkurt immediately after the flood, gave the necessary instructions to heal the district’s wounds. In this direction, Bozkurt was strengthened against possible new flood disasters.
The Ezine Stream bed, which caused the flood in 2021, was widened from 30 meters to 72 meters with the work carried out by the State Hydraulic Works (DSI). Brit and sluice dams were built to slow down the water in the stream bed. In addition, 4 large vehicle and 2 pedestrian bridges were built over the stream. 3.5-meter-high concrete walls were built on the 6-kilometer section of the Ezine Stream. All work is aimed to be completed this year.
The new library in the district was completed, cafes were opened and 46 workplaces were licensed in the last year. The Government House and Police Department were demolished and rebuilt. 651 permanent houses built by TOKİ were delivered to their rightful owners. Natural gas was provided to the district in a short time in line with the instructions of President Erdoğan and as of today, the number of subscriptions has reached 3,451.
Their Wounds Have Been Healed, But Their Pain Is As Fresh As The First Day
In the district where the wounds were healed, residences, workplaces, infrastructure, squares, social living spaces and institutional buildings were rebuilt, citizens held on to life again. However, the pain of those who lost their lives is still fresh. Citizens who lost their loved ones experience the sadness of the disaster as if it was the first day, even though 3 years have passed.
Brother and Family Lose Their Lives, Nephew Missing for 3 Years
Orhan Kalabalık, his wife Server Kalabalık and his son Arda (11) lost their lives in the collapsed Ölçer Apartment during the flood disaster. His other son Yusuf (6) has still not been found despite all the search efforts. Server Kalabalık’s sister Nuran Şenel stated that she could never forget her deceased brother and family. Stating that her nephew has still not been found, Nuran Şenel said, “I was here on the day of the flood. I lost my family. We went through very difficult times. We lost my brother, my sister-in-law and my “Nephews in the collapsed apartment. We could not find my nephew Yusuf Efe. I loved my family very much. It always comes to my mind when I walk around these places.”
“My 5 Children Are Gone”
A citizen who said that he lost his 5 children living in the Ölçer Apartment in the flood disaster said, “Before the flood, my son called me and said, ‘Dad, the flood is coming, run away.’ I ran away and went to the mosque. Suddenly I saw cars being swept away by the flood, I jumped into the water from the mosque and ran up the hill. I learned that my children were dead. Day, I am still crying? May God not show this pain to anyone. They are still crying. How can I forget? “until I die.”
The State Provided Support, Caught Life Again
Emine Gedik, who was working in the field of wood painting during the flood, held on to life again by opening a women’s clothing store in the new workplace built by TOKİ after her workplace was destroyed. Expressing that they brought their lives back to normal by selling clothes from the workplace she opened and online, Gedik said, “Before the flood disaster, I had a wood design workshop. I was making my own designs and sending them all over Turkey. I fell into a huge void after the flood. I started working by providing small pieces and paints on the balcony of my house. Although we did not have a first-degree loss of. Life in the flood, we lost a lot of property. Our state was always with us and our grievances were remedied. However, many things that could not be replaced were left behind. We went through very difficult times. A district, but the state was always behind us. Our district has mostly recovered. I also opened a women’s clothing store in the district, which I sold both from my store. workplace and through social media.”
