Mount Cilo

Mount Cilo in Turkey has lost over 50% of its glacier cover in 40 years due to climate change, with rising heatwaves and reduced rainfall accelerating the melt.

Mount Cilo Glacier Retreat: Climate Change Impact in Turkey

Source: TOI
Syllabus: Climate Change, Environmental Degradation, Geography (UPSC GS I & III)

Context:

Recent studies reveal that Mount Cilo’s glaciers in southeastern Turkey have lost nearly 50% of their ice cover over the past four decades. Accelerated melting due to climate change and heatwaves is significantly altering the region’s hydrology.

About Mount Cilo:

Location:
- Second-highest peak in Turkey (4,135 meters at summit Reşko or Uludoruk).
- Located in Yüksekova district, Hakkâri Province, bordering Iraq.
- Part of the East Taurus Mountains in the Eastern Anatolia region.
Geographical Features:
- Spans 30 km within Cilo-Sat Mountains National Park (declared in 2020).
- Characterized by steep limestone cliffs, sharp ridges, deep gorges, and glacial valleys.
- Nearby Suppa Durek (Erinç Tepe) is Turkey’s third-highest peak (4,116 meters).

Glacial Retreat and Environmental Impact:

Over 50% glacier loss recorded since the 1980s.
Melting ice feeds rapid torrents and waterfalls, disrupting regional water cycles.
Visible indicators include receding ice sheets and ice blocks entering streams.

Climate Trends and Projections:

Record heatwave: 50.5°C in Silopi (July 2025), Turkey’s highest-ever temperature.
UN projections: Region may experience 30% less rainfall and a 5–6°C rise in temperature by 2100.
These trends signal increased risk of water scarcity and ecological imbalance in the region.