Two Dead as Istanbul Records Heaviest Rainfall in Over 80 Years
ANKARA: Istanbul was struggling to recover on Thursday after being hit by flooding caused by the heaviest rainfall recorded in more than 80 years, authorities said, as heavy rain continued to batter the city.
Heavy rain began falling in Turkiye’s largest city on Wednesday morning before intensifying throughout the day, causing chaos and flash floods, with video footage showing cars being swept away by powerful currents.
“We are talking about the highest rainfall levels recorded in Istanbul since records began in 1942,” Istanbul Governor Davut Gul said.
Two people were killed in the flooding, including a 14-year-old boy who was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle in the Balat neighbourhood.
The teenager was rushed to hospital, but medical personnel were unable to save him, according to authorities.
Three other people were receiving treatment in hospital, Gul said.
On Wednesday afternoon, the governor announced that all schools across Istanbul would remain closed until Monday.
He also urged residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and advised those living in basement apartments to spend the night on higher, safer floors.
Residents were also warned to stay away from riverbanks, underpasses and other flood-prone areas.
Dramatic footage shared online and compiled by the DHA news agency showed rows of parked cars in the Sariyer district of northern Istanbul being pushed by muddy floodwaters before being swept away.
Other footage showed several people being rescued from strong currents through first-floor windows, while elsewhere, two people carrying umbrellas were seen climbing into the bucket of a large excavator before being transported to safety.
A total of 43 flights bound for Istanbul Airport, located near the Black Sea coast, were diverted, along with three flights heading to Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side of the city.
Sabiha Gokcen Airport also temporarily suspended departures due to strong winds, according to a Transport Ministry statement carried by the official Anadolu news agency.
Turkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) established a crisis centre to coordinate the response to incidents caused by the heavy rainfall.
By Wednesday evening, authorities had recorded 1,277 flooding incidents, 15 landslides, 47 people stranded and two incidents involving roofs being blown off by strong winds.
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue throughout the weekend.
AFP