Heavy Rains Cause Flooding in Istanbul, Disrupting Travel and Schools
··1 min de lecture
Istanbul, Turkey, experienced its heaviest rainfall in 81 years on Thursday, with 261 kilograms of rain per square meter, causing widespread flooding and travel disruptions. The governor of Istanbul, Daud Gul, announced the closure of all schools on Friday, both public and private, for safety reasons.
Two people died and three were injured, with the injured being transported to the hospital and reported to be in stable condition. Rescue teams evacuated 2,722 people using boats and various vehicles, with ongoing rescue operations in 14 locations across the city.
The heavy rainfall also impacted air travel, with 51 flights being diverted to alternative airports and 19 flights canceled, including seven incoming and 12 outgoing flights from Istanbul Airport.
Gul mentioned that the weather conditions have caused significant disruptions in road traffic and flight operations.
School buildings will undergo inspections in the coming days to ensure the safety of electrical systems and check for any damage.
CONTEXT: Istanbul, a city of over 15 million people, is no stranger to heavy rainfall and flooding, but the intensity of this storm is notable for its rarity. The last time Istanbul saw rainfall of this magnitude was in 1942, highlighting the unusual nature of this weather event.
