Istanbul experienced significant flooding following what local authorities described as the heaviest rainfall the city has seen in 84 years. The severe weather resulted in two fatalities: a 14-year-old boy who was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle, and a 34-year-old man who slipped while attempting to cross a road and struck his head on the pavement. Authorities have launched an investigation into the teenager’s death.
Rescue and response operations mobilized quickly to address the crisis. According to the city’s deputy mayor, 595 people were evacuated to safety after becoming stranded in flooded areas, while more than 8,000 workers were deployed to respond to the emergency. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül issued directives for residents to remain indoors except when necessary. The Interior Ministry reported that some districts received rainfall equivalent to one seventh of the annual average precipitation.
The flooding disrupted multiple aspects of city operations and transportation. School closures were ordered for Thursday and Friday as precipitation was forecast to continue. The metro system extended its operating hours until 02:00 local time, and authorities encouraged residents to use public transportation instead of private vehicles. Air travel faced disruptions, with 46 planes unable to land at Istanbul airports.
Damage to infrastructure included submerged vehicles in various districts, a flooded parking structure at a shopping center in the Sariyer district, collapsed road sections, and a river that overflowed its banks. The Interior Ministry also issued warnings about potential sudden flooding in several provinces beyond Istanbul. In response to the emergency, the government granted administrative leave to certain categories of public employees, including disabled workers, pregnant women, and mothers with young children, though exemptions were made for those in essential services such as health, safety, and drainage operations.
Istanbul’s metropolitan area is home to more than 16 million residents, making the flooding a significant event for one of Turkey’s largest urban centers.
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