Heavy rain that began on the night of October 14, 2026, flooded large parts of Istanbul, submerging roads, overflowing streams and halting air and rail traffic in Turkey's largest city. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül said rescue teams used boats and vehicles to evacuate stranded residents as the storm continued into October 15.
How much rain fell
Rainfall totals varied by district and by the time each report was issued. Türkiye Today, citing meteorological data, reported 242 millimeters in Beykoz, 190.5 mm in Eyüpsultan and 187.9 mm in Sarıyer, describing the Beykoz figure as the highest since 1985. Hürriyet Daily News reported a peak reading of 272 kilograms per square meter — a measure equivalent to millimeters — in some areas, also comparing it to 1985 levels. The Turkish state agency Anadolu Ajansı, in its Arabic-language report, put the peak at 261 kilograms per square meter and called it the highest since 1942, when nationwide rainfall records began. Al-Monitor cited a separate figure of up to 255.8 mm. The outlets agree the event was among the most intense rainfall episodes Istanbul has recorded in at least four decades, though they differ on the exact peak figure and comparison year.
Deaths, missing and rescues
Casualty figures also evolved as the disaster unfolded. Anadolu Ajansı's early report cited two deaths and three hospitalized injuries. Türkiye Today later reported three deaths: a 14-year-old identified by initials M.I. who was electrocuted in Fatih district, a 34-year-old identified as S.Y. who died of a head injury while crossing a flooded road in Sarıyer, and an unidentified man believed to be in his 40s found near a stream in Kağıthane. Hürriyet Daily News reported the same three deaths and added a fourth: construction worker Faik Şentürk, who died in Beykoz, putting its total at four. Al-Monitor reported three confirmed deaths and four people listed as missing.
According to figures Türkiye Today attributed to the Istanbul Governor's Office, authorities logged 1,277 flooding incidents and 15 landslides, with 47 people reported stranded. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality separately recorded 6,937 emergency calls, the outlet said. Anadolu Ajansı reported that Governor Gül said rescue teams evacuated 2,722 people by boat and vehicle, with operations continuing at 14 locations. Al-Monitor cited a figure of 595 people evacuated by emergency crews and said authorities deployed roughly 8,000 personnel and 2,000 vehicles across the city, a deployment figure also reported by Türkiye Today.
Disruption to transport and schools
- Anadolu Ajansı reported 51 flights diverted from Istanbul Airport and 19 flights canceled; Türkiye Today reported 43 flights diverted (39 domestic, 4 international) and Hürriyet Daily News put the diversion figure at 46.
- Authorities banned motorcycles and mopeds from roads and urged basement-floor residents to spend the night elsewhere, Hürriyet Daily News reported.
- Schools were closed across Istanbul and, according to Türkiye Today, in five other provinces — Düzce, Zonguldak, Sakarya, Kocaeli and Yalova.
Affected districts
The districts most frequently named across reports include Fatih, Sarıyer, Kağıthane, Beykoz, Başakşehir, Küçükçekmece, Esenyurt, Merter and Sultanbeyli. Hürriyet Daily News reported that the Kağıthane stream overflowed and that about 30 workers were evacuated after being stranded for 14 hours at a concrete plant in Sarıyer.
Reported rainfall totals by district and source| District | Rainfall | Source |
|---|
| Beykoz | 242 mm (highest since 1985) | Türkiye Today |
|---|
| Eyüpsultan | 190.5 mm | Türkiye Today |
|---|
| Sarıyer | 187.9 mm | Türkiye Today |
|---|
| Unspecified area | 272 kg/m² (compared to 1985) | Hürriyet Daily News |
|---|
| Unspecified area | 261 kg/m² (highest since 1942) | Anadolu Ajansı |
|---|
| Unspecified area | up to 255.8 mm | Al-Monitor |
|---|
Official response
Governor Gül said the rain had caused flooding and disruption to road and air traffic, according to Anadolu Ajansı. Hürriyet Daily News reported that Gül expected the rainfall to continue for another two to three days from October 14. Anadolu Ajansı separately reported that Gül announced schools would stay closed and that school buildings would undergo electrical-system inspections in the following days to confirm they were safe to reopen.
Power outages were reported in several flooded neighborhoods, though none of the sources reviewed provided an official count of affected households by Thursday.
Questions
- How much rain fell on Istanbul?
- Reports vary by district and source: Türkiye Today cited 242 mm in Beykoz (highest since 1985), Hürriyet Daily News cited a peak of 272 kg/m², Anadolu Ajansı cited 261 kg/m² (highest since 1942), and Al-Monitor cited up to 255.8 mm.
- How many people died in the Istanbul floods?
- Death tolls differed by report: Anadolu Ajansı's early count was two, Türkiye Today and Al-Monitor reported three, and Hürriyet Daily News reported four, with Al-Monitor also citing four people missing.
- Which Istanbul districts were hit hardest?
- Fatih, Sarıyer, Kağıthane, Beykoz, Başakşehir, Küçükçekmece and Esenyurt were among the districts most frequently cited in flooding and landslide reports.
- Were schools closed because of the flooding?
- Yes. Schools in Istanbul were closed, and Türkiye Today reported closures extended to Düzce, Zonguldak, Sakarya, Kocaeli and Yalova provinces as well.
- How many flights were affected at Istanbul's airports?
- Flight-diversion figures differed across reports: Anadolu Ajansı cited 51 diversions and 19 cancellations, Hürriyet Daily News cited 46 diversions, and Türkiye Today cited 43 diversions.
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