New rainfall warning for Istanbul from Prof. Dr. Orhan Şen: Today is riskier than yesterday

Following the heavy rainfall that affected Istanbul, Prof. Dr. Orhan Şen warned against new precipitation, stating that the soil is already saturated with water.

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New rainfall warning for Istanbul from Prof. Dr. Orhan Şen: Today is riskier than yesterday

Following the heavy rainfall that affected Istanbul yesterday, which caused flooding that negatively impacted life in many areas, a new warning has come from Meteorology Expert Prof. Dr. Orhan Şen. Stating that the rainfall will continue to have an effect, Şen said that the risk has increased, especially due to the ground becoming saturated.

Prof. Dr. Şen assessed the situation for Istanbul, stating, "Today is riskier than yesterday." Expressing that the rainfall could remain effective in the city until the evening, Şen emphasized that people should not go out unless necessary and should be particularly careful around puddles and underpasses.

Vehicles damaged and covered in muddy water after flooding in Sarıyer. — Vehicles damaged after the flood in Sarıyer were viewed from the air.

SOIL IS SATURATED, RISK HAS INCREASED

According to Şen, some regions received over 200 kilograms of rainfall per square meter with the recent downpours. Stating that the soil, trees, and infrastructure are therefore saturated with water, Şen noted that new rainfall could exacerbate the existing flood risk.

"The rain has nowhere to disperse. The rain will not seep underground. There is no soil, there is nowhere for the water to go. Those places are already covered in water," said Şen, adding that caution is required, especially in the northern districts and around the Bosphorus.

A white vehicle stranded on a road covered in water during the night, with people waiting nearby. — Some roads in Istanbul remained underwater following the downpour.

Stating that the fact that schools are closed is an advantage, Şen expressed that there could be chaos in traffic and vehicles could be damaged in puddles. The warning is particularly important for citizens living in areas that have experienced flooding.

Vehicles trapped between floodwaters at night and people walking on the street. — Water levels rose in some streets following the heavy rainfall.

WATCH OUT FOR FRIDAY NIGHT

Şen said that the rainy system has begun to shift from Istanbul toward the south and east; he noted that the danger persists in the vicinity of Yalova and Bursa before noon. He also stated that the rainfall could be effective along the line extending to Düzce, Sakarya, and the Black Sea coast.

Issuing a warning for the weekend as well, Şen said, "Another rainfall is coming on the night connecting Friday to Saturday. This rainfall also looks strong. It also looks risky. The risk continues until the weekend."

Numerous vehicles trapped and displaced in muddy floodwaters on a street. — Floodwaters dragged vehicles in some spots and damaged parked cars.

Prof. Dr. Şen said that if new and heavy rainfall occurs on top of the saturated ground, similar problems could be experienced again. He stated that the risk remains in underpasses, points near stream beds, and areas that have previously experienced flooding.