Boy killed as torrential rain floods Istanbul
A 14-year-old boy died after being electrocuted in floodwaters as torrential rain battered Istanbul on Wednesday, triggering more than 1,200 flooding incidents, 15 landslides and widespread transport disruption.
The boy, identified by his initials M.I., was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle at Çukurbostan Park in the Balat neighborhood of Istanbul’s Fatih district, according to the Istanbul Governor’s Office.
He was taken to hospital unconscious but died despite medical efforts to save him. Authorities said an investigation into the incident had been launched.
More than 1,200 flooding incidents reported
Emergency services received 2,518 reports of weather-related incidents across the city, as floodwaters inundated roads, homes and businesses, the governor’s office said.
Authorities recorded 1,277 flooding incidents, 15 landslides, 47 cases of people becoming stranded, 13 fallen trees and two damaged roofs.
The severe weather also affected 808 homes, 280 businesses and 76 vehicles.
The heaviest rainfall was recorded in the Ömerli area of Beykoz, on Istanbul’s Asian side, where precipitation reached 193.84 kilograms per square meter. Arnavutköy recorded 125.9 kilograms per square meter, while rainfall in the ITÜ Maslak area of Sarıyer reached 124.72 kilograms.
Thousands of emergency workers deployed
A crisis coordination center was established at the Istanbul Regional Directorate of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) following warnings from the Turkish State Meteorological Service.
Around 8,000 personnel and 2,000 vehicles and construction machines were deployed across the city. Teams from AFAD, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and district municipalities worked to respond to flooding and other emergencies.
The downpours caused severe traffic congestion, with traffic density reaching approximately 90% during the evening rush hour. Major roads became heavily congested as commuters struggled to return home.
Public transport services also experienced heavy passenger volumes as residents sought alternatives to driving.
Despite the disruption, the governor’s office said no roads remained closed because of the rainfall. Airport runways continued operating normally, with no flight cancellations reported.
Schools closed as authorities warn residents
Authorities suspended classes across Istanbul for Thursday as the threat from heavy rainfall persisted. Motorcycle travel was also banned because of hazardous road conditions.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül urged residents, particularly those on the city’s Asian side, to exercise caution.
Emergency response operations continued as authorities monitored developments across the city. Social service personnel working at residential care facilities for children, older adults and people with disabilities were exempted from administrative leave to ensure uninterrupted care.
The deadly incident and widespread flooding underscored the impact of the extreme rainfall, as emergency teams continued responding to damage and disruptions across Istanbul.
Source:DailySabah
