Istanbul flash floods leave two dead amid record rainfall

Torrential downpours across Istanbul have left two people dead and forced emergency crews to rescue hundreds of trapped residents, following what officials described as the heaviest rainfall recorded in the Turkish metropolis in 84 years.

Authorities confirmed that a 14-year-old boy lost his life due to electrocution after stepping into water on a street, an incident currently under official investigation. In a separate tragedy, a 34-year-old man died after falling and striking his head on a pavement while trying to walk across a flooded roadway.

The extreme weather triggered widespread disruption across the metropolitan region, which is home to more than 16 million people. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül urged the public to remain indoors unless travel was strictly essential. Schools were instructed to suspend classes on Thursday and Friday as meteorologists warned that wet conditions would persist.

According to Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan, emergency responders evacuated 595 individuals who had become stranded by rising waters. More than 8,000 personnel were mobilized to manage the crisis. Aslan encouraged residents to stay alert, particularly during night hours, and advised travelers to rely on public transit rather than personal cars. City officials extended subway operating hours until 02:00 local time to assist commuters.

The sheer volume of rain overwhelmed local infrastructure. The nation's interior minister noted that certain neighborhoods received water levels equal to one-seventh of Istanbul's typical annual rainfall. In districts such as Sariyer, floodwaters submerged commercial parking lots and trapped vehicles, while other sectors suffered road collapses and an overflowing river.

Aviation also faced severe disruption, with reports indicating that 46 incoming flights could not land at Istanbul's airports because of the storm.

Beyond the immediate emergency response, the government announced special workplace arrangements. Administrative leave was granted for Thursday to public sector employees who are pregnant, disabled, or military veterans, excluding those deployed in healthcare, public safety, and drainage operations. Female civil servants with children under eight years old were also permitted to stay home as the interior ministry cautioned that sudden flash floods could threaten adjacent provinces.