Heavy Rain Floods Istanbul, Electrocution Kills Teenager

Heavy rainfall that began early on October 14 intensified by midday, turning streets into rivers in districts such as Üsküdar and Çengelköy. Clogged storm drains caused water to accumulate on main arteries, sweeping away garbage containers and halting both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Municipal and law enforcement crews were deployed to clear blocked drains and pump out standing water along the Üsküdar coastal road and surrounding areas. Work continued into the evening as teams struggled to restore normal flow.

“The child who stepped into the puddle was electrocuted due to stray current in the area.”

In Fatih's Balat neighborhood, 14-year-old Mahmut Işıldak stepped into a rainwater puddle in Çukurbostan Park and was electrocuted by a stray current. Paramedics rushed him to hospital unconscious, but doctors could not revive him. The Istanbul Governor's Office confirmed the death and announced an investigation.

Across the city, emergency services responded to 2,518 distress calls overnight, recording 1,277 flood incidents, 15 landslides, and 47 cases of people trapped. Authorities suspended school for the following day and banned motorcycles from traffic. Governor Davut Gül urged residents, especially on the Asian side, to remain cautious.