Istanbul Reels From Catastrophic Flooding, Deadliest in 80 Years with Four Lives Lost

• Unprecedented rainfall struck within 48 hours
• 66-year-old man’s body discovered beneath a bridge

Updated 11 min 44 sec ago

Arab News Pakistan

October 16, 2026 22:29

ISTANBUL: Severe flooding that battered Istanbul in recent days has been classified as the deadliest in over 80 years, according to Turkiye’s interior minister, as the official death count climbed to four.

With a population nearing 16 million, Istanbul experienced an extraordinary deluge—more rain fell in just 48 hours leading up to Thursday morning than what is typically recorded in both September and October combined, as reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency.

“While we are doing everything possible to assist our citizens, this represents the most devastating flood event since 1942,” stated Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci during a tour of one of the neighborhoods hardest hit by Wednesday night’s torrential rains.

The body of a 66-year-old man was recovered on Friday beneath a bridge in the Sariyer district. This brings the total number of fatalities to four, including a young teenager who tragically lost their life after being electrocuted during the storm.

Inundation damaged homes and businesses, with floodwaters submerging streets and parks throughout the metropolis. Numerous vehicles were swept away by the surging waters, leaving carcasses scattered at the base of hillsides.

Prior to finding the man’s body on Friday, Minister Ciftci briefed reporters in Sariyer’s Ayazaga area, noting that four individuals were still unaccounted for.

He further disclosed that authorities had received approximately 9,850 reports of property damage and related incidents stemming from the floods, prompting the deployment of 46,000 personnel committed to clearing debris and aiding affected communities.

The General Directorate of Meteorology issued a stark warning late Friday, forecasting additional heavy rainfall for Istanbul and four surrounding provinces over the upcoming weekend.

Murat Kurum, the minister responsible for environment, urbanization, and climate change, joined Ciftci during visits to the stricken areas.

In response to growing concerns regarding the impact of unchecked urban expansion near waterways, Kurum emphasized, “Addressing these challenges is not optional—it is vital.”

Kurum, set to preside over next month’s COP31 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey, explicitly linked the catastrophic flooding to global climate trends. “Tackling climate change isn’t a matter of choice—it’s an urgent necessity,” he declared.

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