Istanbul – Torrential rain Wednesday night brought Turkey’s largest city to a standstill, flooding streets, homes and businesses while claiming at least three lives. Rescue teams worked through the night and into Thursday to pull hundreds of stranded residents to safety. Officials described the downpour as the heaviest the city has seen in 83 years. ([1])
Streets Turned Into Rivers
Water surged through underpasses and low-lying roads, sweeping vehicles into one another and leaving drivers trapped inside their cars. Traffic across the metropolis ground to a halt as commuters and residents found themselves cut off by rising water. Businesses and ground-floor apartments filled quickly, forcing families to seek higher ground or wait for help.
The scale of the disruption left many neighborhoods isolated for hours. Emergency crews focused first on the most dangerous spots, where water levels continued to rise even after the rain eased. By morning the extent of the damage became clear across multiple districts.
Three Lives Lost
Authorities confirmed three deaths by Thursday afternoon. A 14-year-old died after stepping into an electrified puddle in the Fatih district. In Sariyer, a 34-year-old slipped on a flooded sidewalk and suffered a fatal head injury. A third victim was found near a park in Kagithane.
Five other people remained missing as search operations continued. The governor’s office coordinated with local teams to locate those still unaccounted for while clearing debris from the worst-affected areas.
Thousands Pulled to Safety
More than 3,000 people were evacuated from flooded buildings and stranded vehicles throughout the city. Rescue workers used boats and ladders in the hardest-hit neighborhoods, moving residents to temporary shelters. The operation continued into Thursday as water levels slowly receded in some districts.
Environment Minister Murat Kurum, who is set to chair the upcoming COP31 climate conference in Antalya, visited affected sites and spoke with responders. He noted that the intensity of the rainfall reflected shifting weather patterns linked to climate change.
Looking Ahead
Recovery efforts now turn to clearing roads, restoring power and assessing damage to homes and infrastructure. The event has left many residents reflecting on how quickly familiar streets can become dangerous during extreme weather. Officials continue to monitor conditions as the city begins to return to normal routines.
