13.06.2026 17:10
The sudden heavy downpour and marble-sized hailstorm in Ankara paralyzed the capital. Life came to a standstill in the city, where roads turned into lakes, floodwaters swept away garbage containers, and hail accumulation reached 30 centimeters.
In these days when the summer heat is making itself felt, the capital Ankara experienced a day that felt like winter. A sudden heavy downpour and intense hailstorm literally paralyzed life in the city. Streets turned into lakes at points where infrastructure was insufficient, and unprepared citizens and drivers had a tough time.
STREETS AND ALLEYS TURNED INTO LAKES
The sky in Ankara suddenly darkened during the afternoon hours, giving way to a heavy downpour. In a short time, the city's main arteries and side streets were submerged. As drainage lines overflowed, roads turned into rivers, and drivers had great difficulty moving their vehicles, while pedestrians struggled to walk on sidewalks.
FLOOD SWEPT AWAY TRASH CONTAINERS IN YENİMAHALLE
One of the areas hardest hit by the rain was the Yenimahalle district. Many workplaces and basements in the district, especially in Gazi Mahallesi, were flooded. The rapidly rising floodwaters swept away large trash containers along the roadside. Dozens of vehicles, both in traffic and parked, were stranded, while municipal teams launched emergency efforts to drain the water.
30-CENTIMETER HAIL NIGHTMARE IN KAHRAMANKAZAN AND BAĞLUM
The downpour turned into severe hail in the city's higher elevations and surrounding districts. Hail the size of marbles created winter-like scenes in the Kahramankazan and Bağlum areas. The accumulated hail thickness reportedly reached up to 30 centimeters in some places. The intense hailstorm also caused significant damage to cultivated agricultural lands.
CITIZENS TOOK SHELTER IN INDOOR AREAS
Ankara residents who were outside in summer clothes were bewildered by the sudden weather change. Citizens caught unprepared by the rain took shelter in bus stops, metro entrances, and under shop awnings to protect themselves. According to information from meteorological authorities, the rain wave across the city is expected to continue intermittently until tomorrow.