Three Dead, Five Missing as Istanbul Sees Heaviest Rainfall in 80 Years

Istanbul was battling on Thursday to recover from flooding after what officials called the Istanbul heaviest rainfall 80 years of records have shown. Three people died and five were reported missing as schools shut and flights were diverted.

Rain began lashing Turkiye’s largest city in earnest on Wednesday morning and grew stronger through the day. It caused chaos and flash flooding, with footage showing cars dragged away by fast-flowing water.

Three killed as floodwaters sweep through the city

A man’s body was found near a park in the Kagithane area on the European side, the governor’s office said. A 14-year-old boy was electrocuted when he stepped into a puddle in the Balat area. He was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.

DHA news agency reported that another man died after falling into a well while draining water at a school construction site in Beykoz on the Asian side. Officials had not confirmed that death.

Istanbul governor Davut Gul said: “We are talking here about the highest level of precipitation in Istanbul since records began in 1942.”

Cleanup begins after record Istanbul heaviest rainfall 80 years event

On Wednesday evening, the governor ordered schools across Istanbul to stay shut until Monday. He urged people to stay home “unless absolutely necessary” and advised those living in basement properties “to spend the night on higher floors.”

Municipal teams and firefighters carried out cleanup operations at schools, football pitches and garages on Thursday. Footage collated by DHA showed a line of parked cars in the northern Sariyer district pushed into a torrent of muddy water and swept away.

Other clips showed people hauled from raging waters through a first-floor window. Two people with umbrellas were seen stepping into the shovel of a large mechanical digger, which carried them to safety. The rescue scenes recalled the Pakistani hero who saved lives in Oman’s floods. Power and water cuts hit parts of the city, including Sariyer.

Disruption spreads beyond Istanbul as flights divert

Forty-three flights bound for Istanbul Airport were diverted on Wednesday, along with three heading for Sabiha Gokcen airport, which also suspended take-offs for a time because of strong winds, the transport ministry said.

In Sakarya province, a two-storey villa on a stream bank in Sapanca collapsed. It had been evacuated earlier, and there were no casualties. In Kocaeli province, a stream overflowed in Gebze and swept away a driver, who was later rescued with ropes. One man was reported missing in Basiskele.

Turkiye’s AFAD disaster agency set up a crisis desk. By Wednesday nightfall, there were 1,277 flooding incidents, 15 landslides, 47 people stranded and two roofs blown off. Heavy rain was expected to continue over the weekend.

What the floods mean for Pakistani travellers

Istanbul Airport is one of the main transit hubs for Pakistani passengers flying Turkish Airlines to Europe and the Americas. With dozens of flights diverted and take-offs suspended at times, travellers should check the status of their flight with the airline before leaving for the airport.

Passengers on connecting itineraries, including codeshare and PIA-linked bookings through Istanbul, may face knock-on delays as schedules return to normal. No Pakistan-specific incident has been reported. Travellers can follow Pakistan’s weather updates and our flood coverage in Pakistan for related advisories closer to home.

How many people died in the Istanbul floods?

Three people were confirmed dead and five were reported missing as of Thursday.

Why were Istanbul schools closed?

The governor ordered schools shut until Monday as a safety measure while cleanup continued and more rain was forecast.

Are flights to Istanbul affected?

Forty-three flights bound for Istanbul Airport were diverted on Wednesday, and three bound for Sabiha Gokcen were also diverted. Travellers should check with their airline before departing.

How much rain fell on Istanbul?

Officials did not give a millimetre figure in the available reports, but the governor said it was the highest level of precipitation since records began in 1942.