15.10.2026 12:44
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi announced that 2,727 people stranded in the floods and water inundations in Istanbul had been rescued, and that 2 people lost their lives. Speaking at AFAD, Çiftçi reported that rainfall in Istanbul reached 272.2 kilograms per square meter in some places, and that 8,815 reports came from the city. Announcing that education was suspended for 2 days in Istanbul, Çiftçi said that schools in Kocaeli, Zonguldak, Sakarya, Düzce and Yalova were also closed today.
Minister of the Interior Mustafa Çiftçi announced the latest situation regarding the heavy rain, flooding, and flash floods affecting the country in general, especially Istanbul, at the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). Çiftçi stated that efforts have continued uninterruptedly from the first moment.
“2 OF OUR CITIZENS HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN ISTANBUL”
Noting that extremely intense rainfall was recorded throughout the Marmara Region, Çiftçi said:
“We have been continuing our efforts uninterruptedly from the first moment against the strong heavy rain, storm, and adverse weather conditions affecting the country in general. Within this scope, extremely intense rainfall was recorded throughout the Marmara Region, especially Istanbul, and the rainfall amount in Istanbul has at times reached 272.2 kilograms per square meter. Unfortunately, as a result of this intense rainfall and storm, 2 of our citizens lost their lives in our Istanbul province. I wish God’s mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives, and offer my condolences to their grieving families and our nation.”
8,815 REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL
Stating that the efforts were carried out under AFAD coordination within the scope of the Turkey Disaster Response Plan (TAMP), Çiftçi noted that general directors and department heads were assigned to the field, especially in Istanbul, Kocaeli, and Sakarya. Çiftçi said, “A total of 9,588 reports were received in our warned provinces, and 8,815 of these reports came from Istanbul. Our teams immediately responded to 6,728 verified incidents that came to our Istanbul 112 Emergency Call Center.”
“2,727 OF OUR STRANDED CITIZENS HAVE BEEN EVACUATED SAFELY”
Announcing that those stranded due to flooding and flash floods in the city had been rescued, Çiftçi spoke as follows:
“Within the scope of our search and rescue efforts, 2,727 of our citizens who were stranded due to flooding and flash floods throughout Istanbul were safely evacuated thanks to the devoted efforts of our AFAD, Coast Guard, gendarmerie, and municipality teams. The evacuation procedures of our citizens stranded in Ayazağa have also been completed. Our citizens who need accommodation are being hosted in our public guesthouses.”
46,597 PERSONNEL ON DUTY IN THE FIELD
Stating that in Istanbul, a total of 46,597 personnel—8,597 of whom are search and rescue personnel—2,288 vehicles, and 14 boats are on duty in the field, Çiftçi reported that nationwide, 55,560 personnel, 6,574 vehicles, and 20 boats are on alert. Noting that support teams and equipment were dispatched from Afyonkarahisar, Tokat, Muğla, and Kütahya, Çiftçi announced that 4,692 food supplies were delivered to citizens in the field and in evacuation areas.
SCHOOLS IN ISTANBUL CLOSED FOR 2 DAYS
Stating that according to data from the General Directorate of Meteorology, rainfall in the vicinities of Istanbul, Kocaeli, Bursa, Yalova, Bilecik, Sakarya, and Düzce today is expected to reach 100 to 120 kilograms per square meter in places, Çiftçi explained the decisions taken as follows:
“Within this scope, in order to minimize possible risks, education and training have been suspended for 2 days in Istanbul and for one day today in our provinces of Kocaeli, Zonguldak, Sakarya, Düzce, and Yalova. Message forms were sent to our provinces under yellow warning, and our citizens in our provinces under orange warning were informed via message.”