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Heavy Rains and Severe Flooding Force School Closures in Istanbul
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News18•15-10-2026, 01:00
Heavy Rains and Severe Flooding Force School Closures in Istanbul
- •The Istanbul governor declared schools closed and placed certain public sector workers on administrative leave following severe rainfall that triggered citywide floods on Wednesday.
- •The torrential downpour flooded homes, businesses, roads, and underpasses, stranding vehicles and causing major traffic disruptions for the city's 16 million residents.
- •Bystanders and firefighters successfully rescued people trapped by rushing floodwaters, including a woman swept down a street and another person trapped in a flooded basement.
- •Authorities advised residents to stay home unless essential, recommended that those in basement apartments relocate for the night, and temporarily banned motorcycles from traffic.
Key Questions Answered
The Istanbul governor's office declared schools closed, placed certain public sector workers on leave, and urged residents to stay home after heavy rainfall caused severe flooding across the city on Wednesday.
Authorities advised residents living in basement apartments to spend the night elsewhere to ensure their safety from the rising floodwaters.
Following the heavy downpour and subsequent traffic chaos, motorcycles were barred from traffic in Istanbul.
