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More heavy rainfall is expected throughout Friday in Istanbul and surrounding regions, following days of severe flooding that left three people dead.
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. A male body has also been found near Sadabat Park in the Kağıthane district. Four people remain missing.
Earlier this week, residents were advised to stay home not to travel unless absolutely necessary. Over 2,700 people had been rescued from dangerous floodwaters as of Thursday.
Homes and buildings have been flooded, schools have shut, and 16 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 over 51 flights at Istanbul Airport diverted to alternative airports and 19 flights cancelled on Thursday, Istanbul’s Governorship said.
Around 260 kilograms of rainfall was recorded in the district of Beykoz, and similar amounts were reported in others. This is the highest rainfall rate recorded in Istanbul since the meteorology measurements began in 1942.
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 on Wednesday 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 Friday that it has issued three strong rainfall warnings for the Marmara region, the Western Black Sea Region and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
”The ongoing rainfall in the Marmara region will be strong, especially in the northern districts of Istanbul, primarily on the European side, and along the coast of Kırklareli. The rainfall is expected to increase in intensity from nighttime hours and continue strongly on Saturday, 17 October across the entire Istanbul province and surrounding areas of Kırklareli,” it wrote in its latest bulletin.
“Rainfall expected in the Western Black Sea region is anticipated to be strong in the surroundings of Düzce, Zonguldak, Bartın, Karabük, Kastamonu, and Sinop, so caution and precautions must be taken against potential adverse effects.
“The expected showers and thundery showers in the Eastern Mediterranean are expected to be locally strong in the surroundings of Adana and Osmaniye, as well as in the coastal areas of Mersin and Hatay, and in the southwestern districts of Kahramanmaraş, so caution and precautions must be taken against adverse effects such as flooding, waterlogging, lightning, strong winds during the rain, and transportation disruptions.”
Is the rain impacting flights?
Data from Flightradar says that 17 flights have so far been cancelled at Istanbul airport as of 11.25am local time Friday, with over 277 delays.
The city’s secondary hub, Sabiha Gökçen International airport, has seen 15 cancellations and 136 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