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Intense rainstorms and high winds battered Türkiye's third largest city Izmir's central districts Wednesday evening, flooding streets, submerging vehicles and cutting water service to three areas after lightning struck a major pumping station.
The storm, which municipal officials described as one of the strongest in recent years, intensified throughout the day before reaching peak severity in the evening hours. Rainfall measured between 60-80 millimeters per square meter in some areas, particularly affecting the central districts of Buca, Konak, Karabaglar and Bornova.
Flash flooding transformed streets into rivers in several neighborhoods, trapping motorists and forcing shopkeepers to evacuate water from their businesses. In Buca's Vali Rahmi Bey and Yaylacik neighborhoods, as well as on Akcay Street in Gaziemir, floodwaters submerged multiple vehicles. A retaining wall collapsed in Efeler neighborhood due to the heavy precipitation.
Emergency crews and bystanders rescued four people from rising waters—one person swept away by floodwaters and three others trapped in vehicles in Buca district. A motorcycle courier caught in the flooding was carried by the current before managing to stop.
Lightning struck the Halkapinar Pumping Station during the severe weather, halting water distribution to Bornova, Karsiyaka and Cigli districts. The Izmir Water and Sewerage Administration announced that repair crews were working continuously to restore the damaged line.
"Our teams are continuing their work to eliminate the malfunction," the utility said in a statement.
Sewers overflowed in Konak's Yenisehir neighborhood as drainage infrastructure struggled to handle the sudden deluge. Streams burst their banks in Buca and Bornova, turning streets and avenues into lakes. Residents attempted to remove water from their homes using whatever means available.
The Izmir Intercity Bus Terminal also experienced flooding in some commercial spaces.
Volkan Gumus, 29, whose coffee shop flooded in Buca's Vali Rahmi Bey neighborhood, said similar rainstorms had caused the same problems previously. He claimed to have contacted Buca Municipality repeatedly without receiving assistance.
"Nobody came to help. I have financial damage. I run a coffee shop. The coffee machine I use may have been damaged due to water. We don't know who will cover this damage," Gumus said.
Neighborhood resident Fatma Yavuzer said locals experienced identical flooding with every rainstorm despite repeatedly notifying authorities, but no solution had been implemented.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality characterized the weather event as disaster-level conditions that caused water intrusions and various disruptions across the city.
The Manda, Meles and Arap streams overflowed due to heavy rainfall combined with tidal effects, prompting safety measures in at-risk areas. Municipal officials urged residents to stay away from stream beds and ponding areas unless absolutely necessary and to heed warnings from emergency crews.
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