Following the heavy rainfall that began in Istanbul on Wednesday, October 14, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül made a statement regarding the latest situation in the city and announced that the decision to close schools will also be applied on Friday, October 16. Gül reported that according to measurements taken by the General Directorate of Meteorology since 1942, 261 kilograms of rainfall per square meter have fallen in the city.
Stating that 2 people lost their lives due to the downpour and 3 people are under treatment in the hospital, Gül noted that the injured are not in life-threatening condition. Reporting that 2,722 people have been rescued as part of the disaster response, Gül announced that small-scale rescue operations are continuing at 14 locations.
Stating that 16 roads are closed to traffic across the city, Gül expressed that 51 flights at Istanbul Airport have been diverted to alternative airports, while 19 flights have been canceled.
SCHOOLS IN ISTANBUL ARE CLOSED ON FRIDAY TOO
Stating that the rainfall is expected to continue for another 2-3 days, Gül called on citizens not to go out unless necessary due to potential risks. Explaining that inspections are ongoing to ensure schools can continue education safely, Gül announced that the closure decision for public and private educational institutions will also be valid on Friday.
Gül announced that the administrative leave granted to pregnant, disabled, and public employees with special excuses will continue, and stated that the administrations of the respective universities will decide whether to suspend education at universities. Noting that the ban on motorcycles entering traffic remains in effect, Gül said a new announcement will be made if traffic conditions become suitable.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT STUDIES HAVE BEGUN
Stating that the housing needs of citizens affected by the disaster are being met, Gül expressed that those in need in 39 districts have been placed in safe areas under the coordination of district governorships. Reporting that the nutritional needs of citizens are also being met by the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay), Gül announced that damage assessment commissions have begun their work.
Informing that damage assessment studies will continue throughout Friday and the weekend, Gül stated that the goal is to complete the assessments by Monday. Gül said that the aim is to share concrete information regarding how citizens' damages will be covered as of Monday.
GOVERNOR GÜL: "WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE HIGHEST PRECIPITATION RATE"
Istanbul Governor Davut Gül made the following statements in his assessment regarding the amount of rainfall in the city:
"We are talking about the highest precipitation rate that has fallen on our Istanbul since 1942, when the General Directorate of Meteorology began its measurements. In past years, there was a drop of nearly 200 kilograms. Today's figure was measured at 261 kilograms.
First of all, I convey my best wishes to all our fellow citizens. I pray for God's mercy upon our two citizens who passed away and offer my condolences to their families. Three of our citizens are receiving treatment in the hospital; they are not in life-threatening condition, their situation is good, and I convey my best wishes to them."
2,722 PEOPLE RESCUED
Providing information about the teams involved in the disaster response, Gül stated that a total of 46,597 personnel participated in the field operations. Expressing that 2,722 people were rescued during search and rescue activities, Gül said that operations are continuing at 14 points.
Stating that the relevant ministries and institutions worked in coordination during the disaster process, Gül made the following statements:
"Under the coordination of our Governorship, primarily AFAD, our Metropolitan Municipality, our District Municipalities, our 1st Army Command, our Police, our Gendarmerie, our Coast Guard, our Red Crescent, and all institutions and organizations carried out this work in their own fields."
Providing information regarding flights at Istanbul Airport, Gül reported that 51 flights were diverted to alternative airports, and a total of 19 flights, 7 arrivals and 12 departures, were canceled. Stating that the food and accommodation needs of passengers affected by the flights are being met by the airline companies, Gül noted that the roads closed to traffic are those outside of major arteries and have alternative routes.
"OUR SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED TOMORROW AS WELL"
Stating that inspections regarding the safety of schools are continuing, Gül said that the goal is to have educational institutions ready for education again by Monday.
Gül made the following statements in his announcement regarding the closure decision:
"Although there are no major problems reaching us, the safety of our children, the safety of our teachers, and the safety of our parents come before everything else. Therefore, our schools are closed tomorrow as well. Likewise, our students, we will have gone through our schools from top to bottom and brought them to a state where education can be received in a healthy way by Monday. The administrative leaves we announced for other public officials will also continue tomorrow in the same way."
Stating that universities will decide on the closure decision themselves, Gül pointed out that the rainfall will continue for a few more days and asked citizens not to go out unless necessary. He also announced that the traffic ban on motorcycles will continue.
"OUR CITIZENS SHOULD NOT WORRY"
Stating that damage assessment studies are continuing in the regions affected by the disaster, Gül expressed that the work is planned to be completed by Monday. He noted that the process regarding the coverage of damages is also aimed to be concretized from that date onwards.
Gül made the following statements in his announcement to the citizens:
"Our goal is to complete all of them by Monday and to give our fellow citizens a concrete, tangible answer as of Monday regarding what the damage will be and how it will be covered. But they should not worry at all. Our state is strong, our nation is behind our state. No one will be left hungry or homeless. Our only sorrow is the passing of our two fellow citizens. Everything else is somehow possible to compensate for. Hopefully, we will see that this is compensated for in this disaster, just as it was in past disasters."
News Source: 12punto
