At least four people have died and thousands have been forced from their homes after torrential rain triggered what Turkish officials described as Istanbul’s worst flooding since 1942.
The downpours, which intensified on Wednesday 14 October, submerged streets, flooded homes and businesses, and swept vehicles away. In the 48 hours to Thursday morning, Türkiye’s largest city received more rain than its combined historical average for September and October, according to Anadolu Agency.
The death toll rose to four on Friday after the body of a 66-year-old man was found beneath a bridge in Sarıyer. Earlier fatalities included a 14-year-old boy who was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle in the Balat area. Searches for missing people were continuing.
“We are trying our best to help our citizens, but we are also experiencing the biggest flood disaster since 1942,” Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said during a visit to the badly affected Ayazağa neighbourhood.
At least 2,700 people have had to leave their homes. Officials said approximately 46,000 personnel were helping residents and clearing debris across Istanbul.
Schools were closed, while residents were urged to avoid unnecessary journeys. People living in basement properties were advised to move to safer, higher floors. Flooding also caused power and water cuts in parts of the city, with shopkeepers in Sarıyer trying to salvage goods from the mud, AFP reported.
The severe weather also caused flooding and disruption elsewhere in Türkiye, particularly in the north-west. In Sakarya, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said two buildings and five bridges had collapsed, with electricity, water and telephone services disrupted. A two-storey house beside a stream in Sapanca was swept away after being evacuated, while municipal teams reported rescuing 120 people stranded across the province.
In neighbouring Kocaeli, flooding inundated homes and businesses, while a landslide disrupted the main road between Kandıra and İzmit. Heavy rain also flooded properties and roads in Bursa and Zonguldak. Schools across Kocaeli, Sakarya, Yalova and Zonguldak were closed on Friday 16 October as authorities responded to the severe weather and the risk of further downpours.
Further heavy rain was forecast for Istanbul and neighbouring provinces over the weekend, raising concerns as recovery work continued.
The UK Foreign Office updated its Türkiye travel advice on Thursday to highlight the flooding. British visitors can check the latest guidance on the Foreign Office website.
