Istanbul Flooding Kills Two, Displaces Thousands as Rescue Efforts Continue

Floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Istanbul have killed two people and forced the evacuation of thousands, with schools and flights suspended.

• Two people died and 2,727 others were evacuated after floods hit Istanbul, with rescue operations continuing overnight.
• Interior Minister Mustafa Cheftchi said over 46,000 personnel, 2,288 vehicles and 14 boats joined rescue efforts, and authorities received about 10,000 emergency calls.
• Authorities suspended schools in Istanbul and the provinces of Kocaeli, Zonguldak, Sakarya, Yalova and Düzce.
• Governor Davut Gül said 51 flights bound for Istanbul airport were diverted to other cities and 19 were cancelled.
• The death toll rose to three after a 14-year-old boy was electrocuted in floodwater in the Balat district.
• Rainfall reached levels not seen since 1942, with AFAD receiving over 1,200 reports of floods and landslides.
• Governor Davut Gül suspended in-person classes and ordered residents to stay home in affected districts.