Istanbul Flooding Forces School Closures as Heavy Rain Disrupts Transport
Heavy rain and flooding in Istanbul forced school closures and disrupted transportation across Turkey’s largest city on Wednesday, October 14, as flooded roads, underpasses and buildings created dangerous conditions for residents.
The severe rainfall caused widespread traffic congestion across Istanbul, a city of approximately 16 million people. Authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary journeys, while people living in basement apartments were advised to move to safer locations.
Media reports indicated that floodwaters inundated homes and businesses. In one district, bystanders rescued a woman who had been swept away by floodwaters, while firefighters rescued another person trapped in a flooded basement. No serious injuries were reported in connection with the basement rescue.
Authorities suspended school classes and introduced additional measures to reduce risks during the adverse weather. Public sector employees with disabilities and mothers with young children were also placed on leave, while motorcycles were barred from traffic.
Education remained suspended on Thursday, October 15, as authorities continued advising residents to avoid non-essential travel while cleanup operations followed Wednesday’s severe weather.
Istanbul Flooding Triggers Emergency Response
The heavy rainfall prompted a large-scale emergency response across Istanbul, with municipal teams working to address flooding and weather-related incidents.
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan said nearly 100 kilograms of rainfall per square metre fell across the city within 12 hours, between 10 p.m. on Tuesday and 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Speaking at the municipality’s Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) in Eyüpsultan, Aslan said 8,392 personnel and 2,246 vehicles had been deployed to respond to incidents caused by the adverse weather.
He warned that further rainfall was expected, particularly around the Bosporus and on the city’s Asian side after 6 p.m. Wednesday. Heavy precipitation on the Asian side was expected to continue until Thursday morning.
Aslan also cautioned that wind speeds could reach 75 to 80 kilometres per hour, or approximately 47 to 50 miles per hour, potentially bringing storm conditions.
Residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel by private car and use public transportation where possible, although public transport services were also experiencing overcrowding.
The reported rainfall levels highlighted the severity of the weather. Aslan noted that rainfall reaching 100 kilograms per square metre over 24 hours is generally considered heavy or excessive, adding that Istanbul had received nearly that amount in just 12 hours.
Istanbul Traffic Disrupted Across European and Asian Sides
Flooding and heavy rain caused widespread traffic disruption across both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul, bringing several major roads close to a standstill.
Municipal traffic data showed congestion across key highways, connecting roads and routes leading to major bridges. Traffic congestion reportedly reached 89% as flooded streets and strong winds disrupted transportation.
Major Roads on Istanbul’s Asian Side Affected
On the Asian side, congestion on the D-100 highway extended from Uzunçayır to Kartal, while traffic travelling in the opposite direction stretched from Pendik towards the Eurasia Tunnel.
Traffic on the TEM Highway intensified between Sancaktepe and the Çamlıca toll booths. Roads leading to the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and the July 15 Martyrs Bridge also experienced significant delays.
Additional congestion was reported along the Şile Highway and in Altunizade. Heavy traffic affected routes between Üsküdar and Beykoz in both directions.
The combination of rainfall, flooded roads and high traffic volumes made travel more difficult for commuters across the Asian side of the city.
European Side Experiences Widespread Congestion
On Istanbul’s European side, traffic on the D-100 highway towards Edirne extended from the July 15 Martyrs Bridge through Haliç Bridge, Edirnekapı and Cevizlibağ to Sefaköy and Haramidere.
Vehicles also moved slowly around Beylikdüzü in the direction of Büyükçekmece.
On the TEM Highway, congestion built up between ISTOÇ and the Mahmutbey toll booths, as well as from Bahçeşehir towards Edirne.
Other affected routes included the road from Hasdal and Seyrantepe to the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, Büyükdere Avenue towards Sarıyer, connecting roads around Levent, the Karaköy-Beşiktaş coastal road and Barbaros Boulevard.
The extensive disruption affected commuters travelling between residential areas, business districts and major transport connections.
Istanbul Public Transport Faces Overcrowding
As heavy rain disrupted road travel, many residents turned to public transportation, increasing pressure on metro, metrobüs, tram and bus services.
Major transfer hubs, including Zincirlikuyu, Uzunçayır, Altunizade, Yenibosna, Cevizlibağ and Zeytinburnu, experienced large crowds.
Passengers were reported to be waiting in queues to board vehicles as demand increased amid difficult road conditions.
Although authorities encouraged residents to use public transportation instead of private cars, the resulting overcrowding created further challenges for commuters.
The disruption demonstrated how severe weather can affect several parts of a major city’s transport network simultaneously, from highways and bridge connections to public transport interchanges.
Newsaih has also covered other major weather emergencies, including flooding in Bangkok that submerged roads and homes and flash floods in Nepal that left five people missing.
Istanbul School Closures and Safety Measures
Authorities suspended classes in Istanbul schools on Thursday because of heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions.
The closures followed Wednesday’s flooding, which affected roads, buildings and transportation across the city.
Public sector employees with disabilities and mothers with young children were also placed on leave as part of the reported measures introduced during the weather emergency. Motorcycles were prohibited from traffic to help manage conditions on the roads.
Residents were advised to remain at home where possible and avoid unnecessary journeys. People living in basement apartments were particularly urged to seek safer locations because of the danger posed by rising floodwaters.
Emergency personnel continued responding to incidents and supporting efforts to manage the effects of the rainfall.
The duration of the disruption beyond the reported school closures and the full extent of property damage were not established in the available information.
Rainfall and Strong Winds Raise Further Concerns
Authorities warned that additional rainfall and strong winds could continue affecting Istanbul after Wednesday’s flooding.
The forecast indicated that heavy precipitation would persist in parts of the city, particularly on the Asian side, into Thursday morning. Wind speeds were also expected to reach 75 to 80 kilometres per hour.
Further rainfall could complicate cleanup operations and make already disrupted roads more difficult to navigate. Flooded underpasses, congested highways and crowded public transport hubs remained major concerns during the reported emergency.
Residents were encouraged to follow official instructions, limit unnecessary travel and take precautions in areas vulnerable to flooding.
The scale of the municipal response, involving thousands of personnel and more than 2,000 vehicles, reflected the extensive disruption caused by the weather.
Authorities continued working to manage the consequences of Wednesday’s rainfall as the city dealt with transportation problems and the effects of flooding.
Key Facts About the Istanbul Flooding
- Location: Istanbul, Turkey
- Main incident: Heavy rainfall and flooding
- Flooding reported: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- Population: Approximately 16 million
- Reported rainfall: Nearly 100 kilograms per square metre within 12 hours
- Traffic congestion: Reportedly reached 89%
- Emergency response: 8,392 personnel and 2,246 vehicles deployed
- Reported wind speeds: Up to 75–80 kilometres per hour
- School closures: Classes suspended on Thursday, October 15
- Transport affected: Highways, bridges, metro, metrobüs, tram and bus services
- Additional measures: Motorcycle traffic restrictions and leave for specified public sector employees
- Main concerns: Flooded roads, building inundation, traffic disruption and further rainfall
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were schools closed in Istanbul?
Schools in Istanbul were closed on Thursday, October 15, following heavy rainfall, flooding and continuing adverse weather conditions that disrupted transportation and created safety concerns.
How much rain fell in Istanbul?
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan reported that nearly 100 kilograms of rainfall per square metre fell within 12 hours, between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Wednesday.
How badly was traffic affected by the Istanbul floods?
Traffic congestion reportedly reached 89%. Major highways, bridge approaches and connecting roads experienced significant delays, while public transport hubs became overcrowded.
Were there any rescue operations during the flooding?
Yes. Media reports indicated that bystanders rescued a woman swept away by floodwaters in one district. Firefighters also rescued a person trapped in a flooded basement, with no serious injuries reported in that incident.
How many emergency personnel responded to the flooding?
According to Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan, 8,392 personnel and 2,246 vehicles were deployed to respond to incidents associated with the adverse weather.
What precautions were authorities advising residents to take?
Authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, use safer transport options where possible and follow official guidance. People living in basement apartments were advised to move to safer locations because of the risk from floodwaters.
Was more rain expected in Istanbul?
Officials warned that additional rainfall was expected, particularly around the Bosporus and on the Asian side of the city. Heavy precipitation was forecast to continue on the Asian side until Thursday morning.
Latest Weather and International News
The Istanbul flooding disrupted daily life across the city, forcing school closures and creating major transportation challenges. Emergency teams were deployed to respond to incidents as authorities warned of further rain and strong winds.
Residents were advised to avoid non-essential travel and follow official safety guidance while cleanup efforts continued.
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