Istanbul floods worst in 80 years, death toll rises to 4

Turkiye’s interior minister Mustafa Ciftci on Friday said that Istanbul was experiencing its worst flooding in more than 80 years, as the death toll rose to four.“We are doing everything we can to help our citizens, but we are also facing the worst flooding since 1942,” Ciftci told reporters during a visit to one of the areas hardest hit by Wednesday night’s downpour.According to Murat Kurum, the environment, urbanisation and climate change minister, who accompanied Ciftci to the flood-hit neighbourhood, authorities had received 9,850 reports of flood-related damage and other problems.Around 46,000 personnel were working to clear debris and assist residents across Istanbul, Türkiye’s largest city.The city, home to 16 million people, received more rain in the 48 hours leading up to Thursday morning than the combined historical average for September and October, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.The body of a 66-year-old man was found Friday beneath a bridge in Istanbul’s Sariyer district. Three other deaths had previously been reported, including that of a teenager who was electrocuted during the storm.Floodwaters inundated homes and businesses, submerging streets and parks across the city. Vehicles were swept away by the rushing water, with many left piled up at the bottom of hills.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.