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Floods, landslides hit cities east of Istanbul as heavy rain damages homes, roads

An aerial view of Alandere neighborhood in Kocaali district of Sakarya, Türkiye, where parts of the area are submerged in water following heavy rainfall, on October 16, 2026. (AA Photo)
October 16, 2026 02:06 PM GMT+03:00

Heavy rainfall has triggered floods and landslides in Sakarya and Kocaeli, east of Istanbul, damaging homes, collapsing a bridge and cutting off major roads, while emergency crews rescued an elderly woman trapped in her house.

The severe weather followed devastating flooding in Istanbul, with rainfall continuing to disrupt daily life across neighboring provinces.

In Sakarya's coastal Karasu district, authorities reported 241 millimeters of rainfall in just four hours during the heavy rain event around 14–15 Oct., according to preliminary figures released by the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality.

Homes are damaged by a landslide and mud and rock debris carried by floodwaters following heavy rainfall in Karasu district of Sakarya, Türkiye, on October 16, 2026. (AA Photo)
Homes are damaged by a landslide and mud and rock debris carried by floodwaters following heavy rainfall in Karasu district of Sakarya, Türkiye, on October 16, 2026. (AA Photo)

Landslides damage homes as floodwaters sweep through Sakarya

In Karasu's Karanlikdere neighborhood, a landslide brought down part of a house, leaving the property uninhabitable, while three other homes were affected by mud, rocks and debris carried downhill by floodwaters.

Several ground floors were flooded, leaving thick layers of mud inside residential buildings. Municipal crews have begun clearing away accumulated soil and debris.

Neighborhood headman Yilmaz Koca said the flooding had damaged several homes, although no fatalities were reported. He added that residents were seeking government assistance as cleanup operations continued.

An aerial view shows homes surrounded by mud, rocks and debris following heavy rainfall and a landslide in the Karanlikdere neighborhood of Karasu, Sakarya, Türkiye, Oct. 16, 2026. (AA Photo)
An aerial view shows homes surrounded by mud, rocks and debris following heavy rainfall and a landslide in the Karanlikdere neighborhood of Karasu, Sakarya, Türkiye, Oct. 16, 2026. (AA Photo)

Elsewhere in Karasu, flooding reached homes in Aziziye, while an overflowing canal submerged pedestrian paths and roads. Rising water levels in Daricayiri also affected businesses, farmland and residential buildings.

In Sakarya's Kocaali district, a stream overflowed in Demiracma, flooding homes and streets. Municipal rescue teams evacuated a 68-year-old woman, identified as Meryem B., after she became trapped inside her home.

Floodwaters also spread across agricultural land and roads in Kaynarca after the Iskenderli Stream overflowed.

An aerial view of flooded homes, workplaces and waterlogged gardens in the Basiskele district of Kocaeli, Türkiye, on October 15, 2026. (AA Photo)
An aerial view of flooded homes, workplaces and waterlogged gardens in the Basiskele district of Kocaeli, Türkiye, on October 15, 2026. (AA Photo)

Bridge collapses and major roads close in Kocaeli

Neighboring Kocaeli faced further disruption as landslides and flooding forced authorities to shut down sections of two major highways.

A landslide blocked the Izmit-bound direction of the D-605 highway near Akcakese in Kandira, prompting authorities to divert traffic through Akcakese and Terziler.

Meanwhile, flooding at the Seymen underpass in Basiskele forced the closure of the D-130 highway in both directions. Drivers were redirected through alternative routes as emergency crews worked to pump out the water.

An aerial view shows muddy floodwaters surrounding residential buildings and inundating streets following heavy rainfall in Sakarya, Türkiye, Oct. 15, 2026. (AA Photo)
An aerial view shows muddy floodwaters surrounding residential buildings and inundating streets following heavy rainfall in Sakarya, Türkiye, Oct. 15, 2026. (AA Photo)

A bridge connecting Dogantepe in Basiskele with Karatepe in Kartepe also collapsed after heavy rainfall caused the stream beneath it to swell. Authorities closed the affected road while response operations continued.

In Karamursel, floodwaters entered the ground floors of several homes, requiring pumping operations.

A separate bridge in Kandira's Calkoy neighborhood, previously closed as a precaution because of rising floodwaters, reopened after stream levels dropped.

An aerial view of Alandere neighborhood in Kocaali district of Sakarya, Türkiye, where parts of the area are submerged in water following heavy rainfall, on October 16, 2026. (AA Photo)
An aerial view of Alandere neighborhood in Kocaali district of Sakarya, Türkiye, where parts of the area are submerged in water following heavy rainfall, on October 16, 2026. (AA Photo)

Emergency crews continue flood response

Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality said municipal teams and the Sakarya Water and Sewerage Administration (SASKI), the agency responsible for local water and drainage infrastructure, had mobilized personnel and equipment to deal with the flooding.

Crews continue working to clear debris, drain flooded areas and address infrastructure damage caused by the heavy rainfall.

October 16, 2026 02:06 PM GMT+03:00
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