Istanbul floods leave two dead after record rainfall
Authorities closed schools and restricted traffic as emergency crews responded across the city.
Update
Floodwater swept parked cars through streets and stranded vehicles across Istanbul as rescuers worked to free people caught in the flooding. (Associated Press)
At least two people have died after intense rain flooded roads, homes and businesses in Istanbul. Authorities suspended classes, restricted some travel and urged residents to avoid unnecessary journeys as emergency crews responded on Thursday.
The flooding began during heavy rain on Wednesday night, bringing traffic to a standstill in parts of Turkey’s largest city. Roads, underpasses and some buildings were flooded, while vehicles became stranded and rescuers helped people trapped in workplaces.
The Associated Press reported that two people had died, citing local media. The Istanbul governor’s office said authorities were continuing to respond to the effects of the rainfall, while an investigation was launched into one of the deaths.
Rainfall totals varied by location and reporting period. Anadolu Agency, citing the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, reported 242 millimetres of rain per square metre in Beykoz, 190.5 millimetres in Eyüpsultan and 187.9 millimetres in Sarıyer.
The municipality said some areas had recorded one of their highest rainfall levels since 1985. A separate bulletin from the governor’s office gave a lower figure of 193.84 millimetres for Beykoz-Ömerli over an earlier period. The figures are not directly comparable because they cover different sites and time windows.
The governor’s office suspended face-to-face education at all schools across Istanbul for Thursday. It also granted administrative leave to several groups of public-sector workers, including some disabled and pregnant employees and some with caring responsibilities, while excluding staff needed for emergency and public-safety work.
Motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles were barred from the roads from Wednesday evening until further notice. The authorities advised residents to avoid travelling unless necessary and issued particular warnings to people living in basement accommodation.
An official statement reported 2,518 emergency notifications between 06:00 and 20:00 on Wednesday, including reports of 1,277 floods and 15 landslides, 47 people trapped, and damage to homes, businesses and vehicles. Further rain was still being reported on Thursday, so the disruption and casualty figures may change.
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This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article relies on an AP report and public statements from Istanbul authorities. Conflicting rainfall figures are clearly attributed and qualified rather than presented as a single definitive total.
- confirmed At least two people died after heavy rain flooded Istanbul. — Reported by the Associated Press, citing local media. source
- confirmed The flooding affected roads, underpasses, homes and businesses, leaving vehicles stranded. — Described in the Associated Press report. source
- confirmed Rainfall reached 242 millimetres per square metre in Beykoz, 190.5 in Eyüpsultan and 187.9 in Sarıyer. — Reported by Anadolu Agency, citing the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. source
- confirmed Some areas recorded one of their highest rainfall levels since 1985. — Reported by AP and attributed to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. source
- confirmed Schools were closed across Istanbul for Thursday. — Stated in the official provincial education authority announcement. source
- confirmed Motorcycles and similar two-wheeled vehicles were restricted from traffic. — Stated in the official Istanbul governorate announcement. source
- confirmed Authorities recorded 2,518 emergency notifications, including 1,277 floods and 15 landslides. — Reported by Anadolu Agency from the governorate’s official figures. source
Editor's note
The flooding, deaths, official restrictions and reported rainfall measurements are supported by public sources. Rainfall totals differ because authorities used different locations and time windows; no conclusion about the cause of the rainfall is made.Sources
- Heavy rain causes flooding in Istanbul and 2 deaths — Associated Press
- Press statement on severe weather in Istanbul — Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education
- Rainfall reaches 242 kilograms per square metre in parts of Istanbul — Anadolu Agency
- Istanbul receives heavy rainfall and emergency response reports — Anadolu Agency
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