Full Breakdown
Flash Floods Sweep Istanbul, Leaving Two Dead
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Flash Floods Sweep Istanbul, Leaving Two Dead
Heavy rain on October 14, 2026 produced flash floods across Istanbul, sweeping away vehicles, stranding workers overnight and causing landslides. The Istanbul Governor’s Office confirmed two fatalities: a 14-year-old who received an electric shock after stepping into a puddle in Çukurbostan Park, Fatih district, and a 34-year-old who slipped on a flooded sidewalk in the Ayazaga neighbourhood of Sariyer and struck his head on a curb.
Scale of the Flooding
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality reported rainfall totals of 242 mm in Beykoz, 190.5 mm in Eyüpsultan and 187.9 mm in Sariyer, describing them as among the highest recorded since 1985. Municipal services logged 6,937 incident reports, while the governor’s office said it had received more than 1,000 emergency reports by evening. The response effort involved 8,000 personnel and 2,000 vehicles and construction machines from AFAD, the municipality and district authorities. Rescue crews used trucks and minibuses to evacuate roughly 200 night-shift workers trapped on Kemerburgaz Street in Sariyer.
Government Response and Safety Measures
The governor’s office announced the suspension of in-person classes for October 15 at all public and private schools, extending the closure to universities and to schools in Kocaeli, Sakarya, Yalova, Düzce and Zonguldak. Motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles were barred from roads from 9 p.m. on October 14 onward. Residents were urged to stay home unless travel was essential and to avoid basements, stream beds and other flood-prone areas. The Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) forecast additional rain, particularly on the Asian side and along the Bosphorus.
Transport Disruptions and Evacuations
Heavy rain forced the diversion of 43 flights bound for Istanbul Airport and three flights headed for Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Ankara. After a brief suspension due to wind shear, Sabiha Gökçen resumed arrivals and departures later on October 14. Stranded vehicles were reported on partially flooded highways, and a municipal bus was immobilised in the floodwaters.
Outlook and Ongoing Risks
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, emphasizing that further downpours are expected. Emergency services remain on alert, and the large deployment of personnel and equipment is intended to mitigate additional flooding, landslides and related hazards as the city navigates the aftermath of the October 14-15 storm.