15.10.2026 16:10
Kağıthane Mayor Mevlüt Öztekin announced that in the downpour affecting Istanbul, more than 150 kilograms of rain per square meter fell on the district. Speaking to Haberler.com, Öztekin said that the Kağıthane Stream had reached its threshold level, measures had been taken on the roads along the stream, and 242 reports had been received. Noting that the water level rose to 1-1.5 meters in the historic Sadabad Mosque, built in 1862, Öztekin stated that there was no loss of life in the district.
Work is ongoing in Kağıthane, one of the districts most affected by the downpour that hit Istanbul. Kağıthane Mayor Mevlüt Öztekin described the latest situation to Haberler.com reporter Gizem Deniz Özkan at the municipality’s AFAD Coordination Center.
“WE EXPERIENCED THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL IN RECENT YEARS”
Noting that Kağıthane is located on Istanbul’s central axis, right next to the Bosphorus line, Öztekin said the district lies in a basin where streams coming from Ayazağa and Sarıyer flow into the Golden Horn. Öztekin said, “We experienced the heaviest rainfall in recent years. According to our Governor’s information on this matter, it is the heaviest rainfall in 84 years. Last night, its intensity increased very sharply.”
“MORE THAN 2 MILLION TONS OF WATER”
Stating that more than 150 kilograms of rain per square meter fell in Kağıthane alone, Öztekin said this corresponded to more than 2 million tons of water in total. Noting that there were no problems in the residential areas on the hills, Öztekin said they worked throughout the night both at the AFAD management center and in the field.
MEASURES ON ROADS ALONG THE STREAM
Stating that the problems occurred along the stream, Öztekin explained that they took rapid measures due to heavy traffic coming from Cendere Street and Kemerburgaz Street. Öztekin continued his statement as follows:
“As the water level in the stream belt rose, we quickly set up certain closures for traffic circulation and the safe passage of our pedestrians. We directed our vehicles to different roads and thus prevented a possible disaster in the stream belt. The water level in Kağıthane Stream had risen to the limit level. In some areas, floods occurred in places, but we resolved these floods without experiencing any trouble.”
242 REPORTS RECEIVED
Stating that there was no loss of life in the district, Öztekin announced that a total of 242 reports reached the municipality. Saying that most of the reports were related to flooded houses and shops and workplaces below road level, Öztekin noted that water evacuation was ongoing. Öztekin stated that more than 500 personnel in more than 50 teams were working in the field with more than 100 work machines.
WATER ROSE TO 1.5 METERS AT HISTORIC SADABAD MOSQUE
Also answering the question about the historic Sadabad Mosque affected by the downpour, Öztekin recalled that the mosque was built in 1862 during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz on the bank of Kağıthane Stream. Stating that the mosque’s elevation is lower than the stream’s elevation, Öztekin said water can enter the mosque when the stream rises.
Noting that measures had been taken against flooding in past years, Öztekin said, “With the rainfall last night, the water rose slightly above the stream. Because the soil was saturated with water, it could not absorb the water, and the water level in the mosque rose to about 1-1.5 meters.” Stating that the water had been drained and cleaning work at the mosque was continuing, Öztekin used the following expressions: “That there is no loss of life is very valuable to us.”