Torrential rain triggered widespread flooding across İstanbul, Türkiye, on Wednesday, killing a 14-year-old boy, inundating homes and businesses, and leaving residents stranded as emergency crews carried out rescue operations across several districts.
The downpours began Wednesday morning and continued intermittently, leaving vehicles stranded as motorists struggled to navigate rising floodwaters. Water also poured into shops and commercial premises, forcing business owners to remove accumulated water.
A 14-year-old boy died after being electrocuted in floodwaters, according to officials.
Authorities recorded 1,277 flooding incidents and 15 landslides across the city.
According to the governor’s office, emergency services received 2,518 reports of weather-related incidents, including 47 cases of people becoming stranded, 13 fallen trees, and two damaged roofs. The flooding affected 808 homes, 280 businesses and 76 vehicles.
The heaviest rainfall was recorded in the Omerli area of Beykoz, where precipitation reached 193.84 kilograms per square metre.
Authorities established a crisis coordination centre and deployed approximately 8,000 personnel, along with 2,000 vehicles and construction machines, to manage the emergency and assist affected residents.
In Sariyer district, rescue teams used trucks, construction machinery, and boats to rescue workers trapped inside businesses along flooded streets in the Ayazaga neighborhood.
Floodwaters also entered homes and commercial buildings, causing power outages. Some vehicles were swept toward sidewalks and road barriers, while public buses became stranded in flooded areas.
Rescue teams evacuate stranded residents to safety
Municipal teams carried out further evacuations of people to safety in Arnavutkoy district, using construction equipment to reach stranded residents. Rescue workers also saved stray animals trapped in the courtyard of a primary school.
Emergency response teams continued rescue operations, evacuations and efforts to pump floodwater from affected areas as authorities monitored conditions across the city.
The severe weather caused major disruption to İstanbul’s transport network, with traffic congestion reaching approximately 90 per cent during the evening rush hour.
Commuters sought shelter at bus, metro, tram and Metrobus stations as public transportation services experienced heavy passenger volumes.
Schools across İstanbul were closed on Thursday, 15 October, while motorcycles were temporarily banned from traffic because of hazardous road conditions.
Despite the widespread disruption, the governor’s office said no roads remained closed, and airport operations continued without flight cancellations.
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