Apocalyptic scenes: Streets underwater, flash floods sweeping away vehicles; "There are fatalities" VIDEO

A boy, identified by the initials M. I., died in Çukur Bostan Park, in Istanbul’s Balat neighborhood, in the Fatih district. According to information from the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the boy was taken to hospital unconscious but died despite doctors’ efforts to save his life.

In Sarıyer, one person died after falling while attempting to cross a road during the flooding.

Authorities have launched investigations to establish all the circumstances surrounding these incidents.

More than 2,500 weather-related emergency reports, 8,000 personnel deployed

Severe rainfall caused chaos across the city, with emergency services receiving a total of 2,518 reports related to adverse weather conditions.

Authorities recorded 1,277 flooding incidents, 15 landslides, and 47 cases in which people became trapped by floodwaters. Reports also included 13 fallen trees and two damaged roofs.

According to available data, the severe weather affected 808 residential buildings, 280 commercial premises, and 76 vehicles.

Homes, shops, roads, and underpasses were flooded, while numerous cars remained trapped in the water. In one part of the city, passersby rescued a woman who was swept down the street by floodwaters, while firefighters pulled a person trapped in a flooded basement to safety.

Dramatic footage from one of Istanbul’s neighborhoods shows cars being pushed by floodwaters out of a parking lot, as flash floods inundated city streets.

Due to the severity of the situation, a crisis coordination center was established at the regional directorate of Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

Around 8,000 personnel from various emergency and public services have been deployed to the affected areas, supported by 2,000 vehicles and pieces of heavy machinery. AFAD teams, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and municipal services are participating in the response efforts.

Heaviest rainfall recorded on Istanbul’s Asian side

The heaviest rainfall was recorded in the Ömerli area of the Beykoz district, on Istanbul’s Asian side, where 193.84 liters of rain per square meter were measured.

In Arnavutköy, rainfall reached 125.9 liters per square meter, while 124.72 liters were recorded in the ITU Maslak area of the Sarıyer district.

In Çatalca, rainfall measured 75.2 liters per square meter, compared with 14.3 liters in Kartal and 6.8 liters in Bakırköy.

The volume of rainfall in certain locations caused water levels to rise rapidly, flooding streets and buildings and further disrupting pedestrian movement and traffic.

Schools closed, motorcycles banned from roads

Due to dangerous weather conditions, authorities decided to suspend classes at schools across Istanbul on Thursday. Motorcycle traffic was also banned because of hazardous road conditions.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül urged residents to exercise particular caution, especially on the city’s Asian side, and advised them to stay at home unless travel was absolutely necessary.

Public sector employees with disabilities, as well as mothers with young children, have been exempted from work duties. The exception applies to employees in social services working in residential facilities for children, older adults, and people with disabilities, to ensure the uninterrupted provision of care and support to residents.

Residents living in ground-floor apartments or basement accommodation have been advised to spend the night in safer locations.

Traffic chaos as congestion reaches 90 percent

The severe weather also caused major traffic congestion, particularly during the evening rush hour, as commuters made their way home from work. According to reports, traffic congestion levels reached approximately 90 percent at certain points.

Public transportation was severely overcrowded, as many residents chose not to use their cars.

Despite the major disruptions on the roads, the Governor’s Office announced that no roads had been completely closed due to the rainfall. Airport runways continued to operate normally, and no flight cancellations were reported.

Authorities continued to monitor the situation and work to address the aftermath of the severe weather, while residents were urged to follow official warnings and avoid unnecessary travel.