23.07.2026 08:40
The cool and rainy weather system coming from the Balkans is suddenly dropping temperatures by 10-11 degrees in the middle of summer. While heavy rainfall is expected in most parts of the country over the weekend, swimming has been banned in three districts of Istanbul due to strong winds and high waves.
According to the forecasts of the General Directorate of Meteorology (MGM), the rainy system originating from the Balkans, which caused a storm in Istanbul yesterday, will completely affect the interior and western parts of the country over the weekend. With expected sudden drops and heavy rainfall on Saturday, temperatures will drop to 23-24 degrees in Istanbul and 20 degrees in Ankara. Rainfall is expected to be very heavy on the Black Sea coast and heavy in interior regions on Saturday.
While the northern and interior parts of the country cool down, the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia regions continue to be under scorching heat. Thermometers show 41 degrees in Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, and Batman. Although the rainy system will continue to affect Istanbul, the eastern Marmara, and the Black Sea on Monday, scorching heat is expected to return to the country in the following days of the new week.
SWIMMING BAN IN 3 DISTRICTS OF ISTANBUL
Following successive warnings from MGM and AKOM, significant safety measures have been taken along the coastline due to the strong winds and high wave heights affecting the megacity. According to decisions made by the district governorships of Beykoz, Arnavutköy, and Sarıyer, swimming has been banned for specific periods to ensure the safety of citizens.
STATEMENT MADE
The Beykoz District Governorship also issued a statement on the matter.
In the statement made by the Governorship, it was stated, "Swimming is prohibited for a period of 5 days on the beaches, shores, and coves along the Black Sea coast within the borders of our district Beykoz, due to high wave heights, pursuant to Provincial Administration Law No. 5442, on the days of 23.07.2026 (Thursday), 24.07.2026 (Friday), 25.07.2026 (Saturday), 26.07.2026 (Sunday), and 27.07.2026 (Monday)."
In a statement from the Arnavutköy District Governorship, it was said, "Swimming is prohibited on Thursday, July 23, due to high wave heights on the shores within the administrative borders of our district, pursuant to Provincial Administration Law No. 5442."
In a statement from the Sarıyer District Governorship, it was stated, "Based on the latest meteorological assessments, since wave heights are expected to be high until the end of Thursday, 23.07.2026, it has been decided to temporarily close the sea and beach entrance of Kısırkaya Public Beach within the borders of Sarıyer on Thursday to prevent any adverse incidents regarding safety of life."