Severe Istanbul rain kills seven and damages thousands of homes

Intense rainfall on Oct 14 led to severe flooding in Istanbul, leaving seven dead and causing serious damage to nearly 3,000 homes and businesses, according to the governor's office. Beykoz recorded 277.1 kilograms per square meter of rain, a record high since 1942, prompting a large emergency response by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Insurance estimates suggest losses could reach 20 billion liras, with insurers reserving 1.9 billion liras for payouts.

Meteorology professor Barış Önol emphasized that climate change will make extreme rain more common and intense, and that rapid urban growth amplifies disaster impacts. Professional engineering chambers urged protection of streambeds, updates to flood maps, and upgrades to storm-water systems. The upcoming COP31 summit, to be hosted by Turkey, will feature discussions on resilient city policies, including pilot projects in Istanbul and other provinces.