Heavy Rains Flood Istanbul Streets, Disrupt Daily Life

Heavy Rains Flood Streets, Disrupt Daily Life Across Istanbul

Heavy downpours early Sunday morning brought widespread flooding to several districts across Istanbul, disrupting traffic and affecting homes and businesses in Şişli and Üsküdar.

The severe weather followed a "yellow code" alert issued by the Istanbul Governor's Office, warning residents of thunderstorms throughout the city. Intense rainfall hit during the early hours, causing significant water buildup on major roads and side streets.

In Üsküdar's Çengelköy neighborhood, a clogged storm drain led to flooding on a main roadway. While some drivers managed to navigate the rising water, others were forced to turn back. The scenes were widely captured on mobile phones and shared online.

In Şişli, multiple homes and workplaces were inundated. Firefighters and teams from the Istanbul Water and Sewage Administration (İSKİ) responded to emergency calls and carried out drainage operations in the affected areas.

In the Merkez neighborhood, a vehicle became stranded in deep water and broke down. The driver managed to exit safely, and the car was later removed by tow truck. Video footage of the incident quickly circulated on social media.

Authorities urged residents to remain cautious, as intermittent showers and localized flooding are expected to continue throughout the day.

Key Points:

• Flooding affected multiple districts including Şişli and Üsküdar
• Yellow code weather alert was active
• Emergency services and İSKİ teams responded to calls
• Traffic disruption was widespread
• Localized flooding may continue

Affected Areas:

• Üsküdar (Çengelköy neighborhood)
• Şişli (multiple locations)
• Merkez neighborhood

Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay away from flooded areas.