Istanbul's Worst Floods Since 1942 Leave Four Dead
More rain fell in 48 hours than the city's combined historical average for September and October, Turkey's state news agency reported.
By Watchman Report staff ·
Catastrophic flooding in Istanbul was the worst in more than 80 years, Turkey's interior minister said Friday as the death toll rose to four, the Associated Press reported. "We are trying our best to help our citizens, but we are also experiencing the biggest flood disaster since 1942," Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said while visiting one of the hardest-hit areas.
Turkey's largest city, home to 16 million people, received more rain in the 48 hours up to Thursday morning than its combined historical average for September and October, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The body of a 66-year-old man was found Friday under a bridge in the Sariyer district. Three other deaths had been reported earlier, including a teenager who was electrocuted during the storm. Water covered streets and parks, and cars were swept away and piled up at the bottom of hills.
Ciftci said there were 9,850 reports of damage and other flood problems, and that 46,000 personnel were clearing debris and helping residents. Environment Minister Murat Kurum, responding to concerns that building near waterways made the flooding worse, said dealing with the problem was "essential." Kurum, who will chair the U.N. climate conference COP31 in Antalya next month, also linked the floods to climate change.
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