Overview
- The storms, which began Wednesday night, produced the heaviest rains Istanbul officials say have been recorded in 83 years and quickly turned streets, subways and buildings into flood zones.
- Authorities confirmed at least three deaths and reported several people missing, including a 14-year-old electrocuted in Fatih and a 34-year-old who died after slipping in Sariyer.
- Emergency teams carried out mass rescues and evacuations, removing more than 2,700 people and sheltering over 3,000 across multiple districts while search-and-rescue operations continue.
- Flooding paralyzed transport, left vehicles underwater, forced school closures and prompted temporary restrictions such as a ban on motorcycle circulation to reduce risk on flooded roads.
- Ministers linked the storm to changing precipitation patterns associated with global warming, officials warned of further rain that could strain already damaged infrastructure and hamper ongoing rescue work.