Two people died as heavy rain flooded Istanbul, sweeping away vehicles and stranding workers overnight, while authorities closed schools for Oct. 15 and warned of further downpours.
In Fatih, a 14-year-old died after stepping into a puddle and receiving an electric shock in Çukurbostan Park, the governor’s office said. An investigation was opened.
A 34-year-old also died in hospital after slipping while crossing a flooded street in Sarıyer’s Ayazağa neighborhood and hitting their head on the curb.
Rescue crews used trucks and minibuses to evacuate about 200 night-shift workers trapped in workplaces on Ayazağa’s Kemerburgaz Street.
Floodwaters swept away parked cars and stranded a municipal bus, while residents used ropes to help people reach safety.
Homes and businesses were flooded in several districts. Crews also worked to pump water out of Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Hospital in Sarıyer.
Rainfall reached 242 millimeters in Beykoz, 190.5 millimeters in Eyüpsultan and 187.9 millimeters in Sarıyer, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality said.
It described the totals as among the highest recorded since 1985.
Municipal services received 6,937 incident reports. The governor’s office said 8,000 personnel and 2,000 vehicles and pieces of equipment had been deployed.
The governor’s office suspended in-person classes at public and private educational institutions for one day.
Motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles were barred from roads from 9 p.m. on Oct. 14 until further notice.
Schools were also closed for Oct. 15 in Kocaeli, Sakarya, Yalova, Düzce and Zonguldak.
The Transport and Infrastructure Ministry said 43 flights bound for Istanbul Airport were diverted to other airports in Türkiye and abroad. Three flights bound for Sabiha Gökçen Airport were diverted to Ankara.
Sabiha Gökçen resumed arrivals and departures late on Oct. 14 after strong winds and wind shear temporarily disrupted operations.
The municipality’s Disaster Coordination Center, AKOM, forecast further rain, particularly on the Asian side and along the Bosphorus. Residents were urged to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from stream beds and areas at risk of flooding.
