At least two killed after heavy rain and widespread flooding causes Istanbul shutdown

By Gavin Blackburn Published on 15/10/2026 - 9:46 GMT+2 Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality said some areas had the highest amount of rain since 1985. A heavy downpour has shut down much of Istanbul, flooding homes and roads and killing at least two people. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Rescuers worked overnight to save hundreds of people stranded at their workplaces, while bystanders helped countless others. The downpour on Wednesday night into Thursday flooded homes and businesses and inundated roads and underpasses, stranding vehicles and causing traffic chaos in Turkey’s largest city. Local media reported two deaths. A 14-year-old was electrocuted after stepping in a puddle at a park in the Fatih district and a 34-year-old slipped on a sidewalk in the Sariyer district and hit their head. Vehicles are stranded in a partially flooded highway during heavy rains in Istanbul, 14 October, 2026 AP Photo Heavy rain was still falling on Thursday morning. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality said some areas had the highest amount of rain since 1985. The governor’s office said education would be suspended Thursday and some state employees would be placed on leave. It advised residents to stay home unless travel was absolutely necessary and for people living in basement apartments to spend the night elsewhere. Motorcycles, meanwhile, were barred from traffic. Go to accessibility shortcuts Share Comments Add Euronews on Google Read more Flooded homes and rising costs: Why some Thai villages are paying the price to protect Bangkok Nepal flash floods sweep away houses, five people missing Six injured as heavy rains batter Chile's capital, sweeping away cars and flooding homes Floods Turkiye (Turkey) Weather Istanbul, Turkiye Comments