Heavy rain intensifies across Istanbul, raising flood risk
People walk with umbrellas amid heavy rain, Taksim, Istanbul, Türkiye, Sept. 16, 2026. (AA Photo)


Heavy rainfall is expected to intensify across Istanbul from 11 a.m. Wednesday, and residents have been warned of possible flooding and waterlogging.

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) said rainfall would increase again around 11 a.m., after affecting the city in the morning.

Showers are expected to continue through the afternoon before gradually moving out of the region around 4 p.m.

Temperatures have fallen sharply with the arrival of cooler air, dropping to around 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit) in the morning. Temperatures are expected to remain below seasonal averages throughout the day.

The combination of cold upper-level air and warmer, moisture-laden air near the surface is expected to produce thunderstorms, lightning and strong showers.

The Meteorological General Directorate has also issued a warning across Istanbul and several provinces in the Marmara and western Black Sea regions, citing the risk of sudden flooding, lightning, strong winds and disruptions to transportation.

According to forecasts, the weather is expected to improve from Thursday, with temperatures rising to around 21 degrees Celsius and no significant rainfall.