Istanbul Floods Kill 2 as 43 Flights Diverted After Torrential Rain

Istanbul floods killed two people after torrential rainfall inundated Türkiye’s largest city on Wednesday, October 14, submerging homes, stranding vehicles and disrupting air and public transport. Authorities closed schools in six provinces on Thursday as emergency teams continued rescue and recovery operations.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) recorded rainfall of 242 millimeters in Beykoz, 190.5 mm in Eyupsultan and 187.9 mm in Sariyer. The municipality received 6,937 emergency reports, while the Istanbul Governor’s Office recorded 1,277 flooding incidents, 15 landslides and 47 cases of people stranded by rising waters.

The fatalities included a 14-year-old boy who died after suffering an electric shock in Cukurbostan Park in the Balat neighborhood of Fatih district. A 34-year-old man died in Sariyer after losing his balance while crossing a flooded road and hitting his head against a curb. An investigation into the teenager’s death is underway.

Flooding affected several neighborhoods, including Esenyurt, Beykoz and Kucukcekmece. The overflowing Kagithane Stream inundated the historic Sadabad Mosque and nearby buildings. Residents and bystanders rescued people trapped by rising water.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure said 43 aircraft unable to land at Istanbul Airport were diverted, including 39 to airports within Türkiye and four abroad. Operations at Sabiha Gokcen Airport were also temporarily disrupted by strong winds and wind shear, resuming at 10:02 p.m. Wednesday.

Schools were closed in Istanbul, Duzce, Zonguldak, Sakarya, Kocaeli and Yalova on Thursday. More than 8,000 personnel and 2,000 vehicles and pieces of machinery were deployed in Istanbul.

Authorities warned of further rainfall, with 50 to 75 mm forecast in some districts by 10 a.m. Thursday. Istanbul Governor Davut Gul urged residents to avoid flood-prone areas and move from basement apartments to safer upper floors.