Two people died and hundreds were rescued in Istanbul after the city’s heaviest rainfall in decades triggered severe flooding and chaos.
Governor Davut Gul declared the precipitation the highest since records began in 1942. The storm forces school closures and flight diversions. It continues to disrupt life for more than 16 million residents.
We are talking here about the highest level of precipitation in Istanbul since records began in 1942
A puddle electrocuted a 14-year-old boy, causing his death. The Balat area was the scene of the incident. Hospital staff tried to save him but failed. A 34-year-old man also died during the storm after slipping on the road and striking his head on the pavement.
Officials from the city's governorship are looking into how the teenaged boy died from electrocution. Three other individuals received hospital treatment for storm-related injuries.
Nearly 600 people have been rescued after becoming stranded. Deputy mayor Nuri Aslan said safe areas received 595 evacuees who had been trapped. More than 8,000 workers were responding to the flooding across the city.
Turkey's AFAD disaster agency reported 1,277 flooding incidents by nightfall on Wednesday. The agency also recorded 15 landslides and 47 people stranded. Two roofs were blown off during the storm.
The interior minister stated that rainfall in parts of Istanbul reached one seventh of the yearly average. Heavy rain started hitting Turkey's largest city on Wednesday morning. Chaos and flash flooding resulted as the weather worsened during the day.
Air travel suffered major disruptions. Diverted were forty-three flights destined for Istanbul Airport on the Black Sea. Three more flights aiming for Sabiha Gokcen airport on the Asian side were also redirected. Strong winds forced Sabiha Gokcen airport to temporarily halt take-offs.
Sources differ on the total number of affected flights. One report states that 46 planes were unable to land at airports in Istanbul. The transport ministry specified the diversion numbers for each airport separately.
The governor said on Wednesday evening that schools in Istanbul would remain closed until Monday. Other reports indicated closures for Thursday and Friday. Rain is expected to persist, keeping the shutdowns in effect.
Governor Davut Gul urged people to stay home unless absolutely necessary. He advised residents in basement apartments to sleep on higher, safer floors. People were warned to avoid underpasses and stream beds due to high flood risks.
What we know
- Governor Davut Gul urged people to stay home unless absolutely necessary.
- Residents are advised to avoid stream beds and underpasses.
- Those in basement properties should move to higher floors.
Still unclear
- The exact cause of the 14-year-old boy's electrocution is under investigation.
- The full extent of damage and the final death toll are not stated.
- The identity of the 34-year-old man who died is not given.
I urge all our citizens to remain vigilant against the expected heavy rain and storm, particularly during nighttime hours
The deputy mayor told people to use public transport instead of private vehicles. Metro hours extended to 02:00 local time to help commuters. Administrative leave on Thursday was granted to disabled, pregnant, or veteran employees, excluding those in health, safety, and drainage roles. Public sector women with children younger than eight also received leave.
To handle incidents from the heavy rain, Turkey's AFAD disaster agency established a crisis desk. On Thursday, Istanbul struggled to recover from the downpour's flooding. The heavy rains are forecast to continue through the weekend.
