Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
Two people have died in Istanbul after heavy rain caused severe flooding, while nearly 600 people needed to be rescued after being stranded.
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.
Residents have been advised to stay home unless travel is absolutely necessary. Homes and buildings have been flooded, schools have shut, and roads have become inaccessible due to the high water levels.
Images from Istanbul show vehicles stranded in floodwaters, with debris piling up on submerged streets.
The rain also appears to have affected flights in and out of the city, with at least 53 cancelled on Thursday across both Istanbul’s main airports.
Istanbul is a popular city for tourists, attracting visitors with its historic bazaars, traditional Turkish hamams, and a blend of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman architecture.
If you are planning a trip to Istanbul, or are already in the city, here is the latest travel advice.
What does the UK government say?
The UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) has warned travellers of heavy rainfall that has caused flooding.
It says people should monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders.
What do Turkish authorities say?
Residents were advised by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül to remain indoors.
“Avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary, and refrain from driving your private vehicles,” he said.
“Do not stay in basement levels or areas at risk of flooding; stay away from puddles, stream beds, and underpasses prone to flooding. Keep away from areas at risk of landslides and buildings in those areas.
“In emergencies, call the 112 Emergency Call Centre. Please follow official announcements.”
Nuri Aslan, the city’s deputy mayor, said that the rainfall has been among the heaviest in recent years.
He added that normal operations have been restored on the M9 metro line and the T1, T3, and T5 tram lines, and that roads are currently being cleared.
“Although the rainfall has largely subsided, our work continues. I kindly ask all our citizens to stay away from risky areas, puddles of water, and roads that have been closed to traffic,” Mr Aslan said on Thursday, 15 October.
Will the rain and flooding continue?
The Turkish State Meteorological Service said on Thursday that the heavy rainfall affecting the eastern part of the Marmara region is expected to subside by tonight, but is then forecast to start again on Friday.
It said: “Rainfall is expected to resume in the region from Friday morning, and is predicted to be particularly heavy in Istanbul, especially the northern districts on the European side, and in eastern Kırklareli. The rainfall is expected to intensify from Friday night and continue strongly across Istanbul and the surrounding areas of Kırklareli on Saturday, 17 October.
“Given that the adverse conditions caused by the heavy rainfall on 14 October are still ongoing, authorities and citizens should be cautious and take precautions against the new rain system, which carries risks of floods, water inundation, lightning, and landslides.”
Is the rain impacting flights?
Data from Flightradar says that 41 flights have been cancelled at Istanbul airport as of 3.15pm local time Thursday, with over 556 delays.
The city’s secondary hub, Sabiha Gökçen International airport, has seen 12 cancellations and 272 delays.
The situation was worse on Wednesday, 14 October, with a collective 89 cancellations and more than 1,000 delays.
As a passenger, you are covered by UK law if you are departing from an airport in the UK on any airline, arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.
Airlines must provide you with care and assistance if your flight is cancelled.
Can I cancel my trip to Istanbul?
As the FCDO has not warned against non-essential travel to Turkey, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.
The conditions for cancelling your trip depend on your holiday provider, so it’s best to contact them if you’re looking to postpone.
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes.
If you do have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.
Read more: Deadly flooding hits Europe as deaths reported in Greece and Turkey
