Catastrophic flooding has struck Istanbul, with officials declaring the event the worst to hit Turkey’s largest city in more than 80 years. The death toll from the disaster has risen to four as recovery efforts continue across the city, which is home to 16 million residents.
State-run Anadolu Agency reported that Istanbul experienced more rainfall in the 48-hour period ending Thursday morning than the combined historical average for September and October. The intense downpour, which began Wednesday night, caused widespread damage as water inundated homes, businesses, streets, and parks. In many areas, vehicles were swept away by the currents, leaving many piled up at the bottom of hills.
The most recent fatality was confirmed on Friday when the body of a 66-year-old man was discovered under a bridge in the Sariyer district. Three other deaths were previously reported, including a teenager who died by electrocution during the storm. Prior to the discovery of the man's body, Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci noted that four individuals had been reported missing.
During a visit to the heavily impacted Ayazaga neighborhood in Sariyer, Minister Ciftci remarked, “We are trying our best to help our citizens, but we are also experiencing the biggest flood disaster since 1942.”
Murat Kurum, the minister for the environment, urbanization and climate change, also visited the flood-hit area. Addressing public concerns regarding whether urban development near waterways contributed to the scale of the damage, Kurum stated that addressing this issue is “essential.” He further linked the severity of the floods to the broader impacts of climate change, emphasizing that “combating climate change is not a choice, but a necessity.” Kurum is set to chair the U.N. climate change conference, COP31, in the Turkish city of Antalya next month.
