In brief
Istanbul is grappling with the most intense rainfall in 84 years, turning streets into rivers and driving 600 people into rescue boats. Two fatalities were recorded: a 14‑year‑old boy electrocuted in a puddle and a 34‑year‑old man who hit his head after slipping on wet pavement. The city’s deputy mayor reports 595 evacuees and 8,000 workers on the ground; public transport was expanded and schools shut. While officials urge residents to avoid leaving home, the Interior Ministry warns of possible floods in other provinces and grants leave for vulnerable workers. Flights were grounded and roads collapsed, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
Two people have died after severe flooding caused by what the governor of Istanbul said was the heaviest rainfall in 84 years.
A 14‑year‑old boy was electrocuted when he stepped into a puddle, while a 34‑year‑old man slipped on a wet road, hitting his head on the pavement.
Nearly 600 people were rescued after becoming trapped, and cars were submerged in water in several districts, said the city’s deputy mayor.
Mayor Davut Gül warned residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. The investigation into the boy’s death is ongoing.
Meteorologists noted that some parts of Istanbul received rainfall equal to one‑seventh of the annual average. Schools were closed on Thursday and Friday, with further rain expected.
Deputy mayor Nuri Aslan reported that 595 residents were moved to safe areas, and more than 8,000 workers were deployed to address the flooding.
"I urge all our citizens to remain vigilant against the expected heavy rain and storm, particularly during nighttime hours," he said on X.
Officials advised people to use public transport, extending metro hours to 02:00, and warned that the flooding also disrupted air travel, with 46 planes unable to land.
A car park in the Sariyer district was flooded, and several roads collapsed; a river burst its banks.
With over 16 million residents in the metropolitan area, the Interior Ministry cautioned about sudden floods across several provinces.
In response, disabled, pregnant, veteran employees and women with children under eight were granted administrative leave on Thursday, except those in health, safety and drainage sectors.
