Torrential rain triggered flash floods across Istanbul, sweeping cars through neighbourhoods, stranding residents and bringing traffic to a near standstill. The downpour also caused landslides and sent floodwater into homes and public spaces as emergency crews responded across Turkey’s largest city.
Flooding disrupts daily life
Municipal authorities recorded more than a thousand flood incidents and several landslides. Dozens of people were reported stranded as water covered roads and complicated travel. Some schools were closed while local services dealt with the damage and continuing rainfall.
The flooding affected transport routes and buildings, with water reaching parts of the city’s metro system and hospitals. Video from the city showed vehicles moving through deep water and residents trying to reach safety as streets became streams.
A fatal incident was also reported during the storm: a 14-year-old boy died after being electrocuted in floodwater. Authorities urged residents to avoid flooded roads and exposed electrical hazards.
More rain expected
The intensity of the rainfall varied across Istanbul, with some districts receiving exceptionally heavy totals. Forecasters warned that additional rain could prolong the danger, leaving low-lying neighbourhoods and transport links vulnerable.
The episode underscored the risks posed by sudden downpours in a densely populated city, where blocked roads, steep terrain and overloaded drainage can turn heavy rain into a fast-moving emergency.
