Istanbul demolishes streambed buildings after deadly floods

ISTANBUL

AA Photo

Authorities began demolishing buildings along a streambed in Istanbul’s Ayazağa neighborhood on Oct. 17 to clear the way for flood prevention work, as renewed downpours flooded homes and roads on the city’s Asian side.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül said 16 shops, a sports field, stands, a Quran school and adjoining lodgings would be demolished by Oct. 18, allowing the Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration to proceed with improvements along a 1,700-meter stretch of stream.

Three people remained missing, including two Turkish nationals and a citizen of Turkmenistan. Teams continued searching streambeds and the Golden Horn with drones and sonar equipment.

In Ağva, the Yeşilçay stream overflowed, flooding homes, businesses, roads and farmland. Two people were rescued from a stranded vehicle in Şile, while residents of an apartment building in Pendik were being evacuated as a precaution after ground subsidence nearby.

Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum announced orange weather alerts for 10 provinces and yellow alerts for 26 others for Oct. 18.

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced 80 million Turkish Liras in cash support for flood-hit tradespeople. Gül said more than 5,000 people had received emergency payments of 10,000 liras each, with separate compensation for damaged belongings due to begin on Oct. 19.

Schools would resume classes on Oct. 19, Gül said. He urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and call 112 if their homes faced flooding, landslide or collapse risks.

The measures follow flooding triggered by heavy rain on Oct. 14. In Beykoz alone, around 320 homes and 20 businesses were flooded, according to the governor.