Istanbul hit by heaviest rainfall in 84 years, leaving two dead
Severe flash floods in Istanbul, Turkey, caused by the heaviest rainfall in 84 years, have left two people dead and nearly 600 rescued from stranded areas.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Istanbul faces its heaviest rainfall in 84 years, causing severe flash floods.
- Two fatalities reported, including a teenager and a 34-year-old man.
- Nearly 600 people rescued by emergency response teams across the city.
- Schools closed and public transport hours extended to manage the crisis.
The metropolitan area of Istanbul, Turkey, is battling a severe flooding crisis after what the city governor described as the heaviest rainfall recorded in 84 years, disrupting the daily lives of its over 16 million residents.
The severe weather has tragically claimed two lives. A 14-year-old boy died from electrocution after stepping into a water puddle, while a 34-year-old man suffered fatal head injuries after slipping and falling while trying to cross a flooded road.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Nuri Aslan, the city's deputy mayor, stated that 595 individuals had been evacuated to safe locations after becoming trapped by rising waters, while more than 8,000 workers were deployed to manage the emergency response. The interior minister noted that rainfall in certain areas reached an amount equivalent to one-seventh of the city's annual average.
"I urge all our citizens to remain vigilant against the expected heavy rain and storm, particularly during nighttime hours"
Nuri Aslan
The floods have also severely disrupted air travel, preventing 46 planes from landing at Istanbul airports. In the Sariyer district, a shopping center car park was completely inundated with multiple vehicles submerged, while parts of roads collapsed and a local river burst its banks.
This extreme flooding event in Istanbul highlights the increasing vulnerability of major urban infrastructure to severe weather anomalies. Receiving a massive fraction of yearly rainfall in such a short window underscores the urgent need for cities worldwide to upgrade drainage systems and enhance disaster preparedness in the face of changing climate patterns.
Governor Davut Gül advised residents to stay indoors unless strictly necessary, and schools were ordered to close on Thursday and Friday. Additionally, administrative leave has been granted to pregnant employees, workers with disabilities, and public sector mothers with young children.
Source: BBC Science & Environment
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