Ankara’s deadliest flood in recent memory, Turkey

Unusually heavy rainfall hit Ankara, Turkey over the weekend, causing destructive floods that claimed the lives of at least 4 people. Another person was killed in the central province of Karaman.

The floods, which swept away trees and inundated buildings in several districts, were Ankara’s deadliest in recent memory, according to Daily Sabah.¹

The worst-hit part of the capital was Akyurt, a district in the city’s northeast, with a population of about 34 000 people. Extensive damage was also reported in neighborhoods near Esenboğa Airport, the city’s main aviation hub, with floodwaters submerging fields and gardens.

Ankara municipality officials said they responded to 6 670 incidents during the downpours and strong winds, which emerged earlier last week and continued into the weekend, from collapsed walls to people stranded in their vehicles or residences.

Schools were closed in Ankara and the central town of Gemerek.

In just 30 minutes, the district of Çankaya registered 28 mm (1.1 inches) of rain, nearly its entire June rainfall average.

Flooding after heavy rain in Ankara, Turkey

#Ankara #Turkey #flood #flooding #floods #flashflood #HeavyRains pic.twitter.com/KeuHlHslJN

— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) June 12, 2022

Forceful and violent Floods in #Ankara. The torrents of water is so powerful that it demolished everything in its path. #Turkey #Flood pic.twitter.com/tYEQcxBtmV

— Adhara Kasem (@KasemAdhara) June 14, 2022

#Ankara #Turkey Rescue of a woman carried away by the torrent following the huge #flood pic.twitter.com/xMVi6zsYLP

— miki (@elcartagenese) June 12, 2022

Massive flooding in the streets of #Ankara, #Turkey. Five people have been killed in floods and storms#MiddleEast #weather #Flood pic.twitter.com/xAcRS3MJrv

— Behrouz Ali (@behrouz_ali1) June 14, 2022

This is how the disaster experienced as a result of the overflow of the flavors creek in #Ankara .#Turkey #Flood #News pic.twitter.com/Hqa4aMDoTh

— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) June 12, 2022

This is the woeful moment a woman from Ankara, Turkey, fell into a puddle submerged under water while trying to cross a flooded road. Fortunately, she was not hurt and was able to get up and continue walking.#ankara #türkiye #turkey #flood #rain #anews pic.twitter.com/WLnZBAX3HG

— ANews (@anews) June 9, 2022

https://twitter.com/MehmetArdic_/status/1535709653883142145

In 2021, around 100 people died in violent weather events in Turkey, including flash floods, wildfires and droughts.

The latest data by the Turkish State Meteorological Services (TSMS) show precipitation in May across Turkey increased by more than 100% compared to May 2021.²

References:

¹ Turkish capital Ankara struggles to recover after deadly floods – Daily Sabah – June 13, 2022

² Turkey’s May precipitation increases by more than 100% – Daily Sabah – June 14, 2022

Featured image credit: Adhara Kasem