Two dead in Istanbul after heaviest rainfall in 84 years, governor says
Residents have been told to avoid leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary.
Key points
- Two people died in Istanbul after the heaviest rainfall in 84 years, according to the governor.
- A 14-year-old boy was electrocuted by a puddle and a 34-year-old man slipped and hit his head.
- Nearly 600 people were rescued, schools closed, and flights were disrupted by the flooding.
Two people have died in Istanbul after severe flooding caused by the heaviest rainfall in 84 years, the city's governor said. BBC Turkish reported the deaths.
A 14-year-old boy died after being electrocuted when he stepped in a puddle. A 34-year-old man trying to cross the road slipped, fell and hit his head on the pavement.
Rescue and response
Deputy mayor Nuri Aslan said 595 people were evacuated to safe areas after becoming stranded, and more than 8,000 workers were responding to the flooding. He urged people to use public transport instead of private vehicles, and metro hours were extended to 02:00 local time.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül told residents to avoid leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary. The governorship is investigating the death of the teenage boy who was electrocuted.
I urge all our citizens to remain vigilant against the expected heavy rain and storm, particularly during nighttime hours.
— Nuri Aslan
Rainfall and disruption
Some areas of Istanbul saw rainfall equal to one seventh of the annual average, according to the interior minister. Schools were ordered to close on Thursday and Friday, as more rain is expected.
Flooding affected air travel, with 46 planes unable to land at airports in Istanbul. In the Sariyer district, a shopping centre car park was flooded and multiple vehicles were submerged. Local media reported that sections of roads collapsed and a river burst its banks.
More than 16 million people live in the wider Istanbul metropolitan area. The interior ministry also warned of sudden flooding in several provinces. Employees who are disabled, pregnant or veterans will get administrative leave on Thursday, unless they work in health, safety or rainwater drainage, Turkish media reported. Women in the public sector with children under eight will also get leave.
