Heavy rain floods Istanbul, 2,518 emergency calls logged

Torrential rain that began early on 14 October caused widespread disruption across Istanbul, prompting 2,518 emergency calls to AFAD and the 112 hotline between 06:00 and 20:00. The Istanbul Governor's Office said the reports included 1,277 flood incidents, 15 landslides, 47 cases of people trapped, 13 fallen trees and two roof collapses.

Authorities mobilised 8,000 personnel and 2,000 vehicles under the Turkey Disaster Response Plan, coordinating AFAD, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and district municipalities. Crews rescued drivers and residents from submerged roads and underpasses, including the Nispetiye underpass in Beşiktaş.

“Our teams continue to respond to rain-related incidents across the city.”

Rainfall varied sharply by district. The highest total was recorded in Beykoz-Ömerli at 193.84 kg/m², followed by Arnavutköy with 125.9 kg/m² and Sarıyer-İTÜ Maslak with 124.72 kg/m². Kartal and Bakırköy saw significantly lighter amounts.

By 20:00 the Governor's Office reported no road closures and said both airports were operating normally with no cancelled flights. Response teams continued monitoring conditions overnight.

Officials also ordered that social-service staff at residential care facilities for children, the elderly and disabled remain on duty without administrative leave to ensure uninterrupted care.