Flash Flooding in Turkey Kills Three, Schools Closed in Five Provinces

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Severe rainfall and cold weather have battered Turkey and Northern Kurdistan, killing three people in Istanbul, forcing thousands to evacuate high-risk areas, and prompting school closures in five provinces.

Authorities have warned of continued flooding risks as another wave of rain and cold weather moves into the country from the Balkans, including Bulgaria and Greece.

According to official information, 3,055 people have been evacuated from high-risk areas and have yet to return home. Among the fatalities was a 14-year-old boy who died in Istanbul.

Exceptionally heavy rainfall struck Istanbul two days ago, with 273 kilograms of rain per square meter recorded, reportedly the highest level in 84 years.

The risk of flooding is expected to persist in Istanbul and the surrounding areas on Friday and Saturday.

Authorities have suspended classes at public and private schools in Istanbul, Yalova, Kocaeli, Duzce, and Sakarya due to the heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding.

Warnings Across Turkey and Northern Kurdistan

Speaking to Kurdistan24, correspondent Mahir Yuksel, reporting from Diyarbakir, said a yellow weather alert had been issued for the city. Although no major flash flooding risk was reported there at the time, temperatures were around 23 degrees Celsius.

Rain is forecast across Northern Kurdistan, except in Urfa. Heavy rainfall and flood warnings have been issued particularly for Osmaniye and Kahramanmaraş, especially the northern parts of Kahramanmaraş.

The weather system is also moving eastward from Istanbul toward northern Turkey, including the western and central Black Sea regions. Further warnings have been issued for Central Anatolia, particularly around Ankara, and the Mediterranean provinces of Mersin, Adana, and Hatay.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid walking barefoot through floodwater because of the risk of electric shocks.