Heavy Rain and Dust Cause Flooding Across Elazığ

Heavy thunderstorms combined with dust transported from Syria triggered muddy downpours and flash floods across Elazığ and surrounding provinces on Monday evening. The Meteorology General Directorate issued an urgent forecast covering Elazığ, Adıyaman, Tunceli, Bingöl, and southern Malatya.

Rainfall intensity reached 54 kilograms per square meter at Elazığ Airport, with Yurtbaşı recording 28 kg and Harput 26 kg. The 112 Emergency Call Center received 189 alerts as water inundated streets and the DSİ drainage canal overflowed in Yurtbaşı and Yazıköy.

“Citizens are urgently requested to be careful and take precautions against possible flash floods until Tuesday noon.”

AFAD, fire brigades, police, and gendarmerie teams responded to the 30 reported flood points. The Governor's office warned residents to avoid flood-prone areas and follow official instructions as rains were expected to ease within an hour but continue intermittently.

Authorities highlighted the rare combination of vertical dust transport and severe storms creating mud-rain, increasing risks of lightning strikes, sudden flooding, and transport disruptions through Tuesday noon. Temperatures dropped to a low of 12°C.