Two people have died in Istanbul after record rainfall caused widespread flooding, according to Istanbul Governor Davut Gül. A 14-year-old boy was electrocuted when he stepped in a puddle, and a 34-year-old man died after slipping and hitting his head on the pavement while attempting to cross a road. The city's governorship is investigating the death of the teenager.
Nuri Aslan, deputy mayor of Istanbul, said 595 people had been evacuated to safe areas after becoming trapped. More than 8,000 workers were responding to the flooding. Some areas of the city received rainfall equivalent to one seventh of the annual average, the interior minister said.
Residents have been advised to avoid leaving home unless necessary. Aslan urged people to use public transport instead of private vehicles, with metro hours extended to 02:00 local time. Schools were ordered to close on Thursday and Friday as the rain is expected to continue.
The flooding also affected air travel, with 46 planes unable to land at Istanbul airports. A car park in the Sariyer district was flooded, submerging multiple vehicles. Sections of roads in other areas collapsed, and a river burst its banks, according to local media.
More than 16 million people live in the broader Istanbul metropolitan area. The interior ministry has warned of sudden flooding in several additional provinces. Employees who are disabled, pregnant, or veterans have been granted administrative leave.