Two dead in Istanbul after heaviest rainfall in 84 years, governor says
Two people have died in severe flooding in Istanbul after rainfall described by the city’s governor as the heaviest in 84 years. Nearly 600 people were rescued from flooded areas, and residents were urged to stay indoors unless travel was essential.
A 14-year-old boy was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle, while a 34-year-old man fell and struck his head as he tried to cross a road. Some areas received rain equivalent to one seventh of the annual average; schools closed for two days as more rain was forecast. Flooding submerged cars, disrupted flights and damaged roads, while more than 8,000 workers responded.
- Two people died in Istanbul’s severe flooding.
- Nearly 600 people were evacuated to safety.
- Rainfall was described as the heaviest in 84 years.
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Istanbul is Turkey’s largest city, spanning the Bosphorus strait between Europe and Asia. Its population, busy roads and dense development mean severe weather can affect large numbers of people and disrupt transport.
Flooding can occur when heavy rain overwhelms drains and waterways, especially in built-up areas where water has few places to soak into the ground. Istanbul has experienced damaging floods before, so authorities monitor rainfall and issue travel warnings to reduce danger.