Severe Flooding in Istanbul Disrupts City After Record Rain in 80 Years

Deadly flooding in Istanbul has claimed at least three lives after intense rainfall overwhelmed neighborhoods across Turkey’s largest city on October 14–15, 2026. Roads collapsed, homes were inundated and public transport was disrupted. Here’s what to know.

Severe flooding in Istanbul
 

Record Rainfall Triggers Deadly Flooding in Istanbul

Torrential rain swept through Istanbul from Wednesday, October 14, flooding residential areas, businesses and major roads. 

Underpasses quickly filled with water, while vehicles became trapped in fast-moving floodwaters. 

Traffic congestion reached around 90% during the evening rush hour, highlighting the scale of disruption across the city.

Officials described the rainfall as the heaviest in 83 years. The Omerli area of Beykoz, on Istanbul’s Asian side, recorded nearly 194 millimeters (7.6 inches) of rain. 

Some other locations received close to 100 mm within 12 hours, according to local officials.

At least three people died, including a 14-year-old boy who was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle in the Fatih district and a 34-year-old man who suffered a fatal head injury after falling in Sariyer. 

A third body was discovered near a park in Kagithane. 

Authorities also reported five people missing as of the latest Associated Press update on October 15.

Torrential rain caused severe flooding in Istanbul (Ibrahim Usta/AP)

Check live weather radar on GoWeatherRadar to monitor precipitation patterns around Istanbul and identify approaching rain systems.

School Closures and Infrastructure Damage Across the City

Istanbul’s governor’s office suspended classes and extended the closure through Friday, October 16. Some public-sector employees were granted leave, while motorcycles were banned from roads. 

Officials urged residents to remain indoors unless travel was essential and advised people living in basement apartments to seek safer shelter.

The flooding also damaged critical infrastructure. 

Water entered two hospitals and reached Haciosman metro station, while sections of roads collapsed in the Eyupsultan and Gaziosmanpasa districts. 

A retaining wall at a primary school in Sultangazi collapsed during classes, although no student injuries were reported.

Emergency services recorded more than 2,500 weather-related incidents, including 1,277 flooding reports and 15 landslides. 

More than 800 homes, 280 businesses and 76 vehicles were affected. 

Rescue teams worked across the city to evacuate stranded residents and respond to urgent calls.

Istanbul floods damaged infrastructure across the city

Rescue Teams Work to Restore Safety as Rain Threat Continues

Authorities deployed thousands of emergency personnel and vehicles to assist residents, search for missing people and assess damage. 

More than 3,000 people had been evacuated from dangerous situations, according to the latest AP report. 

Further showers were forecast for Istanbul and nearby areas through the following days, raising concerns about renewed flooding. 

Residents should avoid submerged roads, underpasses and fast-flowing water, follow official warnings, and move to higher ground if local authorities issue evacuation instructions.

References

1. Al Jazeera

2. ABC News

3. RFI

4. AP News