Heavy rains trigger deadly flash floods and landslides in northeastern Turkey
Heavy rains triggered flash flooding and landslides in northeastern Turkey on Sunday, July 12, 2020, resulting in at least four fatalities in the Artvin Province and two in the Rize Province, officials confirmed Monday, July 13.
Provincial governor Yilmaz Doruk told reporters that flash flooding occurred at 19:30 LT (16:30 UTC) on Sunday, after very heavy rainfall at the Yusufeli District. While inspecting the area, Doruk added that flooding also struck the Yusufeli Dam Construction site.
At least four people lost their lives, including one child, while one person was rescued.
Turkey's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), gendarmerie forces, and sniffer dogs were involved in the search and rescue mission.
Heavy material damage was reported, particularly in the dormitory and office area, but workers have been evacuated to a safer place.
Dozens of vehicles were buried in debris. The Artvin-Erzurum Highway has been closed, and it would take time to clear up sediments from the tunnel, said Doruk.
Image credit: Government of Artvin
In Rize Province, severe weather caused floods and landslides that claimed two lives in the Cayeli District.
Several surrounding towns and villages in the district have been affected. Three people were injured as a number of houses were destroyed in Madenli, Köprübaşı, and Sarısu, AFAD reported.
Rescue teams have been facing difficulties reaching the remote villages as heavy downpours continued. The meteorological agency registered 273 mm (11 inches) of rain in the district in a 24 hour period to Tuesday, July 14.
Rain with thunderstorms is forecast over the region on Wednesday, July 15.
BAŞKANIMIZDAN İLK AÇIKLAMA; “ İLÇEMİZDE YAŞANAN SEL FELAKETİNDEN DOLAYI TÜM HALKIMIZA GEÇMİŞ OLSUN DİLEKLERİMİ İLETİYORUM, EKİPLERİMİZ TAM KADRO SAHADA. BENDE HALKIMIZIN YANINDA OLMAK ÜZERE ANKARA’dan İLÇEMİZE HAREKET EDİYORUM “#ÇayeliSelFelaketi #Çayeli pic.twitter.com/SSR0e76cDo
— Çayeli Belediyesi #KontrollüSosyalHayat (@Cayelibeltr) July 13, 2020
Bakanımız Sn. @suleymansoylu sel felaketinden etkilenen Rize Çayeli Madenli Beldesi'nde, incelemelerde bulunuyor pic.twitter.com/99Ti2Ctirv
— TC İçişleri Bakanlığı Maske Mesafe↔️ Temizlik (@TC_icisleri) July 13, 2020
Bakanımız Sn. @suleymansoylu, AK Parti Genel Başkan Yardımcısı Rize Milletvekili Sn. @Hayati_Yazici ile birlikte, sel felaketinden etkilenen Rize Çayeli'nde incelemelerde bulunuyorlar pic.twitter.com/DRvBp2bwEq
— TC İçişleri Bakanlığı Maske Mesafe↔️ Temizlik (@TC_icisleri) July 13, 2020
Yeşiline vurulduğumuz yerleri böyle görmek çok üzücü #gecmisolsunArtvin#GecmisOlsunRize #SALI pic.twitter.com/cSRrTDqgW9
— Sennur. (@synr34) July 14, 2020
Featured image credit: Government of Artvin
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