Severe rainfall has triggered widespread flooding across Istanbul, Türkiye, submerging roads, homes and tunnels and causing major traffic disruptions that brought movement in several areas to an almost complete halt.
Anadolu Agency reported that authorities had suspended in-person classes at all public and private educational institutions throughout the city as part of precautionary measures aimed at protecting residents from the effects of the adverse weather.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül urged people to remain indoors and avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary, warning of the risks posed by the heavy rainfall and resulting floods.
Gül said rescue teams had evacuated 2,722 people trapped by rising floodwaters and transferred them to safer locations using vehicles and boats. He added that limited rescue operations were continuing at 14 locations across the city.
The governor also noted that the severe weather had affected air traffic, forcing authorities to reroute 51 flights and cancel 19 others as emergency teams continued responding to the flooding and its consequences.
