Following the heavy rainfall that has been affecting Istanbul since the beginning of the week, an "orange alert" level has been declared across the city. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Deputy Mayor Nuri Aslan, in a statement made at AKOM, called on citizens not to go out unless necessary due to the expectation of new rainfall.
Aslan stated that according to meteorological assessments, the rainfall could increase in intensity again starting from the evening of Friday, October 16, and that there is a high probability of it strengthening towards the noon hours of Saturday, October 17. Emphasizing that caution should be exercised in the city, Aslan requested that public transportation be preferred instead of private vehicles.
Starting from this evening, we recommend that you do not go out unless necessary, and if you must, we advise you to use public transportation rather than your own vehicle.
Aslan said they are requesting that the 16 million residents of Istanbul spend the period without leaving their homes if possible until midnight on October 17. Stating that they have been on alert since Tuesday night, Aslan noted that some regions received up to 273 kilograms of rainfall per square meter, which led to flooding and various damages in the city.
Stating that serious flooding occurred in Ayazağa and the Cendere Valley, Aslan announced that there have been fatalities and that search efforts are ongoing for 3 citizens. Expressing that IMM teams are working in the field with 8,500 personnel and approximately 2,400 vehicles, Aslan noted that they are working in coordination with AFAD, the gendarmerie, the Coastal Safety, the Coast Guard, and the 1st Army.
INSTITUTIONS ARE IN THE FIELD, WORK CONTINUES IN STREAM BEDS
Aslan said that teams from the Road Maintenance Department, İSKİ, the Fire Department, and İSTAÇ are continuing cleaning work in stream beds and evacuation efforts in homes and workplaces affected by flooding. Stating that "all state institutions are working in coordination," Aslan noted that coordination with the Istanbul Governorship and AFAD is ongoing.
Stating that the measures taken following the rainfall will be re-evaluated, Aslan emphasized that the climate crisis makes cities' preparedness against disasters even more important. Aslan said their goal is to ensure that those living in Istanbul are affected as little as possible by similar disasters.
News Source: 12punto
