Istanbul: Severe flooding in Istanbul has killed 2 people after the city experienced its heaviest rainfall in 84 years, while hundreds of residents were rescued from flooded areas and submerged vehicles disrupted daily life.
The victims include a 14-year-old boy who died from electrocution after stepping into a puddle. A 34-year-old man also died after slipping while attempting to cross a road and hitting his head on the pavement. The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death are being investigated by the Istanbul governorship.
Nuri Aslan, the city’s deputy mayor, stated that 595 people was evacuated to safe areas after becoming trapped by floodwater. More than 8,000 workers have been deployed to respond to the flooding and assist affected residents.
The deputy mayor also urged the public to remain alert to the risk of heavy rain and storms, particularly during the night. Residents are advised to use public transport instead of private vehicles to reduce travel risks on flooded roads.
Davut Gul, Istanbul Governor has urged residents to remain indoors unless leaving home is absolutely necessary. The warning comes as heavy rain continues to affect several parts of the city and raises concerns about further flooding.
Interior minister of Turkey noted that some districts have experienced rainfall equivalent to one seventh of Istanbul’s annual average. The intensity of the downpour left roads and other public areas under water. Several vehicles was submerged in affected neighbourhoods.
In the Sariyer district, floodwater inundated a car park at a shopping centre, leaving multiple vehicles submerged. The incident highlights the scale of the flooding as emergency teams continue to respond across the city.
Authorities ordered schools to close on October 15 to 16 because of the continuing rainfall. The weather is expected to remain unsettled, prompting further warnings for residents to avoid unnecessary journeys and take precautions against flooding.
Istanbul’s metro operating hours have also been extended until 02:00 local time to support public transport use during the disruption. Officials encouraged residents to leave private vehicles at home and follow safety advice while emergency workers continue rescue and response operations.
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