14.10.2026 22:20
Severe torrential rain that began in the morning in Istanbul and continued through the night claimed lives. A 14-year-old child who tried to cross a puddle in Balat was electrocuted and died. Across the city, 1,277 floods, 15 landslides and 47 stranded incidents were recorded, while 2,518 reports were made. Education in Istanbul was suspended tomorrow, and motorcycles were banned from traffic. Governor Davut Gül issued a warning especially for the Anatolian Side.
The toll of the heavy downpour that was effective throughout the day in Istanbul has worsened. A 14-year-old child lost his life in Balat, while thousands of reports were made across the city. Floodwaters affected roads, homes, and businesses.
FIRST FATALITY OCCURRED IN BALAT: 14-YEAR-OLD CHILD LOST HIS LIFE
Sorrowful news came from the heavy rain that gripped Istanbul. A 14-year-old boy who was trying to cross a puddle in Çukur Bostan Park in Balat Neighborhood died after being electrocuted. In a statement by the Istanbul Governor's Office regarding the incident, the following statements were included: “In the incident that occurred in Çukurbostan Park in Balat Neighborhood of Fatih district, a 14-year-old child named M.I. was electrocuted the moment he stepped into the puddle. The child, who was taken to the hospital unconscious, could not be saved despite all interventions and lost his life. An investigation has been launched into the incident.”
2,518 REPORTS IN ISTANBUL: 1,277 FLOODS, 15 LANDSLIDES
The Istanbul Governor's Office announced that 2,518 reports reached AFAD and the 112 Emergency Call Center between 06:00 and 20:00 on October 14. According to the records announced by the Governor's Office, 1,277 floods, 15 landslides, 47 cases of being stranded, 13 fallen trees, and 2 incidents of roofs being blown off occurred across the city. In addition, reports were filed regarding 76 vehicles, 808 residences, and 280 workplaces. A crisis desk was established at the AFAD Istanbul Regional Directorate to respond to the adverse events in the city. 8,000 personnel and 2,000 vehicles and construction machines were assigned to the field.
193 KILOGRAMS OF RAINFALL PER SQUARE METER IN BEYKOZ
One of the points where the downpour was measured most intensely was Beykoz-Ömerli. In the region, 193.84 kilograms of rainfall per square meter fell. In Arnavutköy, 125.9 kilograms per square meter, in Sarıyer-İTÜ Maslak 124.72 kilograms, in Çatalca 75.2 kilograms, in Kartal 14.3 kilograms, and in Bakırköy 6.8 kilograms of rainfall were recorded.
METROS FLOODED, CITIZENS STRANDED
Due to the downpour, transportation and daily life were adversely affected in different districts of Istanbul. The Başakşehir Olympic and Hacıosman metro stations and some underpasses were flooded. The Kayaşehir metro was also closed to service for water evacuation. A woman swept away by the current in Esenyurt was rescued with the help of three citizens. Work was carried out to rescue those stranded at Nişantaşı University's Kağıthane Campus using construction machines. In Sultangazi, the retaining wall of Nurettin Uzun Primary School collapsed, while evacuations were carried out at shopping malls in Sarıyer. Due to a landslide in the Riva direction of the Northern Marmara Motorway, traffic was controlled on a single lane. On the Şile Motorway, a traffic accident caused by a puddle occurred.
SCHOOLS GIVEN A DAY OFF IN ISTANBUL TOMORROW
The Istanbul Governor's Office announced that face-to-face education was suspended for one day at all public and private educational institutions across the province on Thursday, October 15, 2026, due to adverse weather conditions. An administrative leave decision was also taken for disabled, pregnant, veteran, and disabled veteran personnel working in public institutions, as well as female employees who meet the specified conditions. In addition, the entry of motorcycles and similar two-wheeled vehicles into traffic was banned as of 21:00 on Wednesday, October 14, until a second instruction.
CRITICAL WARNING FROM GOVERNOR GÜL: PAY ATTENTION TO THE ANATOLIAN SIDE
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül announced that the rainfall would be effective throughout the province during the night and especially on the Anatolian Side on October 15. Gül made the following warning to citizens: “The rainfall is expected to be effective throughout the province tonight, and tomorrow especially on the Anatolian Side. We kindly ask that everyone across the province be careful and take precautions during the rainfall. Do not go outside unless necessary, and avoid going into traffic with your private vehicles. Do not stay in basements and areas at risk of flooding; stay away from puddles, stream beds, and flooded underpasses. Stay away from areas at risk of landslides and from buildings in these areas. In emergencies, call the 112 Emergency Call Center. Please follow official announcements.”
STATEMENT FROM ÖMER ÇELİK: ALL RESOURCES MOBILIZED
AK Party Deputy Chairman and Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also made a statement regarding the flood disaster in Istanbul. Çelik, noting that the state is in the field with all its institutions, used the following expressions: “We convey our best wishes to all our citizens affected by the heavy rain and flood in our Istanbul. Our state is in the field with all its institutions and teams, and stands by our citizens. All resources have been mobilized to heal the wounds of all our stranded and damaged citizens. May God protect our country and nation from all kinds of disasters.”
RAINFALL WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT
IMM Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan stated in his statement at AKOM that nearly 100 kilograms of rainfall per square meter fell in the city in 12 hours. Aslan, warning that wind speed could reach 75-80 kilometers per hour, called on citizens to prefer public transportation instead of private vehicles. While teams' response to floods and other adverse events continues in Istanbul, rainfall is expected to continue throughout the night.