{
  "id": 14688180,
  "title": "Two dead as Istanbul endures heaviest rainfall in 80 years",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/two-dead-as-istanbul-endures-heaviest-rainfall-in-80-years-14688180",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T11:27:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/10/15/two-dead-as-istanbul-endures-heaviest-rainfall-in-80-years"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Istanbul grappled on Thursday with its heaviest rainfall in over 80 years, struggling to recover from the catastrophic flooding. The deluge began Wednesday morning and persisted throughout the day, causing chaos and flash flooding. Aerial footage showed cars being dragged away by the swift currents.\n\nOfficials warned that the downpour was the highest level of precipitation in Istanbul since records began in 1942. Two individuals lost their lives in the floods; one was a 14-year-old boy who was electrocuted after stepping into a puddle in the Balat area. Despite efforts by medical personnel, the boy could not be saved. Three others were hospitalized for treatment.\n\nIn response to the emergency, schools across the city were closed until Monday, and residents were advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Those living in basements were urged to spend the night on higher floors. The governor also advised people to avoid stream beds, underpasses, and other flood-prone areas. Dramatic videos showed parked cars being swept away in the northern Sariyer district and people being rescued through first-floor windows.\n\nThe heavy rain disrupted 43 flights to Istanbul Airport and three to Sabiha Gokcen airport on the Asian side, temporarily suspending take-offs due to strong winds. Turkey's disaster agency, AFAD, established a crisis desk to manage incidents caused by the extensive flooding. By Wednesday night, there were 1,277 reported flooding incidents, 15 landslides, 47 people stranded, and two roofs completely blown off. Rainfall was forecast to continue over the weekend.",
  "summary": "Istanbul's governor says schools will remain closed until Monday, urging residents to stay home unless necessary and advising those living in basement properties to move to higher floors.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Science",
        "title": "Two dead in Istanbul after heaviest rainfall in 84 years, governor says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/two-dead-in-istanbul-after-heaviest-rainfall-in-84-years-governor-says",
        "published": "2026-10-15T10:05:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Three dead as heavy rainfall and floods hit Istanbul",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/three-dead-as-heavy-rainfall-and-floods-hit-istanbul",
        "published": "2026-10-15T10:46:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Two dead as Istanbul endures heaviest rainfall in 80 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/two-dead-as-istanbul-endures-heaviest-rainfall-in-80-years",
        "published": "2026-10-15T11:24:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Two dead as Istanbul endures heaviest rainfall in 80 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/two-dead-as-istanbul-endures-heaviest-rainfall-in-80-years-14693969",
        "published": "2026-10-15T11:27:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Istanbul reels from heaviest rainfall in over 80 years as floods kill two",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/istanbul-reels-from-heaviest-rainfall-in-over-80-years-as-floods-kill",
        "published": "2026-10-15T11:48:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Two dead in Istanbul flooding as rainfall hits 80 year high",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/two-dead-in-istanbul-flooding-as-rainfall-hits-80-year-high",
        "published": "2026-10-15T13:08:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}