Torrential rains trigger floods in northern Turkey, wreak havoc

Many houses, workplaces and roads were flooded in the Dikmen and Durağan districts after it began raining early on Monday evening and continued into Tuesday. Rescue teams were mobilized to clear water from flooded homes and workplaces and three rescue helicopters were deployed to the districts to aid residents who were stuck on flooded streets. The Samsun-Sinop highway was closed to traffic after the Güzelceçay Bridge collapsed due to heavy rain. Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Sinop Governor Ahmet Cengiz said the Dikmen and Durağan districts had sustained serious damage because of the flash floods, but that there had been no fatalities.

“The rain caused significant damage to property in the village of Akbel, in Durağan. Many roads collapsed and bridges were severely damaged, which caused disruption to the flow of traffic. We don’t know whether Dikmen has also sustained damage to the same extent, but we know for sure that there are no casualties in the area. Rescue teams are carrying out the necessary work,” Cengiz told Anatolia.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) sent rescue teams, tents, blankets and food packages to the flood-stricken districts.

Heavy rain and storms also caused problems in the Black Sea province of Samsun. Violent storms ripped down trees and power lines, knocking out power in 28 villages in the district of Çarşamba.

Many houses, workplaces and streets were also flooded due to the heavy rain in the city of Çarşamba, where traffic was significantly disrupted and many drivers were trapped on roads. The eastern province of Erzurum was also hit by heavy rain on Tuesday, with many houses and workplaces flooded in Oltu. The Oltu-Narman highway was temporarily closed to traffic and many other roads sustained damage.

Meteorologists have warned residents of the likelihood of flash floods and landslides caused by the heavy rains, which are expected to continue in the Black Sea provinces of Samsun, Ordu and Sinop.