Teenager dies as heavy rain floods Istanbul

What the report says

A teenage boy died in Istanbul after torrential rain hit Turkiye’s largest city, flooding streets, homes and businesses and disrupting daily life, according to Al Jazeera’s report on Thursday. The flooding began after heavy rain on Tuesday evening and continued into Wednesday, bringing traffic close to a standstill and prompting authorities to warn residents to stay indoors where possible.

Al Jazeera reported that verified footage showed the 14-year-old being electrocuted in the Balat area of the Fatih district after stepping into a puddle. Istanbul officials said he was taken to hospital unconscious but could not be saved. The governor’s office said an investigation had been opened. Governor Davut Gul urged people in flood-prone areas, including basement flats, to move to higher ground and avoid underpasses and creek beds.

The city also suspended schools for Thursday and restricted motorcycles from the roads, while some state employees were placed on leave. Floodwater affected hospitals, a metro station and neighbourhoods across the city, with roads collapsing in some districts and vehicles stranded in others. Local reports cited thousands of weather-related incidents and widespread flooding, landslides and damage to homes, shops and vehicles.

The episode highlights Istanbul’s vulnerability to intense rainfall and urban flooding, especially in low-lying and densely built areas. Al Jazeera’s report noted that emergency crews were deployed across the city, which has a population of around 16 million.