Heavy rainfall hits Istanbul, flooding roads and homes and leaving the city in shutdown mode, with at least two deaths reported. Several outlets describe vehicles being swept or flipped and water inundating streets. BBC Sport reports local officials telling residents to avoid leaving home unless necessary.
Turkish officials and local authorities link the downpour to the heaviest rain in decades, with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality citing the highest totals since 1985. Euronews and other reports say rescue operations are under way, with emergency crews responding to flooded areas. Reports also note wider disruption, including transport and daily services: school closures extend into Friday and flights are disrupted in some areas. The Independent, ABC News and others frame the event as sudden and severe, while The Mirror adds that one death involves a teenager who is electrocuted after stepping into a puddle.
Across outlets, the common points are the rainfall’s exceptional intensity, flooding across multiple districts, ongoing emergency response, and at least two confirmed deaths.
