Local citizens and environmentalists are blaming government greed for deadly floods in northwestern Turkey. On Aug. 24, in Hopa, Artvin (bordering Georgia), a massive flood claimed the lives of eight people, and three more were missing and presumed dead at the time of this writing. Buildings are in ruins and hundreds of cars are stuck in floodwaters and landslides. In the past decade, floods have claimed more than 100 lives, and locals lament the lack of efforts to prevent future disasters.

The mountainous region receives the highest rainfall in Turkey, so one might be tempted to label the area's floods as natural disasters — but environmentalists disagree. They hold the haphazard city planning of money-hungry government elites responsible for the deaths and material losses.

There are at least three man-made causes for the increasing number of deaths. The first is the highway that was built parallel to the coastline. The road's design diverts the courses of creeks and streams as they flow toward the sea. It has also robbed the region of its beaches, blocking locals' access to them. Next are hydroelectric dams for power generation and uncontrolled mining activities. The plants have caused so much grief and resentment that there are local folk songs lamenting the damage they've done. Dam projects have seized limited farmlands and destroyed thousands of trees, plants and animals. Destruction of local ecosystems has not only caused pollution, but also left cliffs without the protection of deep tree roots, making them vulnerable to constant erosion and frequent landslides. Last is unplanned urban development and faulty city planning, or lack of planning at all. Buildings are erected on river and creek courses. Most of the environmental damage is seen in these areas.

All three causes share a common motivation: untamed greed for lucrative projects that benefit private construction companies. Almost all of the projects are completed by cutting corners and finding shrewd ways to combat bureaucratic rules and regulations. Locals have relentlessly sued these companies. In almost all cases, the courts have ruled against the construction plans. The construction has not stopped, however.