Istanbul Floods Kill Four as Record Rain Disrupts Travel and Shuts Schools
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Emergency crews worked through Thursday to rescue stranded residents and clear flooded streets across Istanbul after an exceptionally powerful storm swept cars away, inundated buildings and brought parts of Türkiye's largest city to a standstill.
Four deaths had been reported by Thursday evening, according to Hürriyet Daily News, including a construction worker who died during floodwater drainage operations. Earlier, the governor's office had confirmed three fatalities and reported four people missing.
The storm brought what Governor Davut Gül described as Istanbul's heaviest rainfall since records began in 1942. Some districts recorded as much as 272 millimetres of rain, overwhelming drainage systems and sending torrents through residential streets, underpasses and commercial areas. More than 2,700 people were rescued or evacuated as emergency teams responded to widespread flooding and landslides.
Transport services faced extensive disruption. Dozens of flights were diverted from Istanbul's two main airports, while submerged roads stranded motorists and damaged vehicles. Schools were ordered to remain closed through Friday, and authorities temporarily restricted motorcycle traffic. Residents of basement apartments were advised to move to safer accommodation.
With further rain expected, officials warned that already saturated ground could increase the risk of additional flooding. Rescue and cleanup teams continued pumping water from buildings, clearing debris and assessing damage across the city.
