Istanbul Closes Schools Amid Severe Flooding
Heavy rainfall inundates homes, businesses, and roads, prompting emergency measures.
Schools in Istanbul were closed and some public sector workers were granted leave on Thursday following severe flooding across the city caused by heavy rainfall.
The Istanbul governor's office issued directives urging residents to remain home unless travel was essential, and advised those living in basement apartments to seek alternative accommodations for the night. Motorcycles were temporarily banned from traffic.
The downpour, which began Wednesday, submerged homes and businesses, inundating roads and underpasses and leading to traffic disruptions in the metropolitan area of approximately 16 million people. While no serious injuries were reported, footage showed bystanders rescuing a woman from floodwaters in one district. Firefighters also reportedly rescued an individual trapped in a flooded basement.
Images circulating in media reports depicted several parked vehicles being swept away by the rising waters in another neighborhood. Education was suspended for the day, and state employees with disabilities and mothers with young children were placed on leave.