Severe flash floods damage multiple properties in capital Ankara, Turkey

Heavy downpours lashed the Turkish capital Ankara on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, causing severe flash floods. As a result, traffic was paralyzed and multiple properties were damaged. 

Heavy rains began Wednesday noon, causing floodwaters to spread through streets and roads, dragging away vehicles and garbage containers. Some drivers tied their cars to the side of the road.

Many homes and businesses were affected, especially in Mamak, the worst-hit area. On Dereboyu Street, the lower floors of buildings were submerged, as well as underpasses and parking lots. 

"They probably couldn't lay the pipes on the road well," said Ahmet Uzel, a resident in an apartment in which the parking lot was engulfed in waters.

"There were vehicles in the flooded part. We could hardly get the vehicles out of here. The apartment is filled with water up to the elevator.

"The water of this creek is always like this. Everything becomes like this in half an hour of rain," said another resident Osman Erdogan, whose house was damaged by floods. 

"Water also got into the house. All my woods and coals in the coal mine were gone. It doesn't matter if it's just flood water, but it also has canal water."

Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin told Anadolu Agency that crews were deployed on the field to repair damage and continue working on the affected areas. 

Featured image credit: TRT Haber/YouTube