Heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding across Istanbul on Wednesday, inundating roads, homes and businesses, sweeping away parked cars and prompting authorities to close schools and introduce emergency measures.

The downpour caused severe traffic disruption across the city of around 16 million people, with roads and underpasses flooded and vehicles stranded in rising water. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.

In footage broadcast by local media, bystanders rescued a woman being swept along a flooded street, while firefighters pulled another person from a flooded basement. Images also showed parked vehicles being carried away by floodwaters in a separate neighbourhood.

The Istanbul governor’s office announced that all public and private educational institutions would suspend in-person classes on Thursday, October 15. Some public-sector employees, including pregnant workers, people with disabilities, veterans and women with children under eight, were also granted administrative leave, subject to specified exceptions.

The governor’s office urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and advised people living in basement apartments to spend the night elsewhere. Motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles were barred from traffic from 9 p.m. Wednesday until further notice.

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality said rainfall reached 50 to 95 millimetres per square metre in northern and central districts, while other parts of the city recorded 10 to 40 mm. Municipal crews had responded to 1,901 incidents involving flooding, overflowing drains and fallen trees, with 8,392 personnel and 2,246 vehicles and pieces of equipment deployed.

Officials warned that heavy showers and strong winds could continue, with rainfall expected to shift towards the city’s Asian side during the evening and overnight. Wind gusts could reach 50-80 kph, the municipality’s disaster coordination centre said.

Istanbul Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan urged residents to avoid unnecessary journeys by private car and use public transport where possible, as emergency teams continued responding to incidents across the city. (ILKHA)