2009 Turkish flash floods
Encyclopedia
The 2009 Turkish flash floods were a series of flash floods that occurred on 9 September, 2009 in and around Istanbul
, Tekirdağ
, and the rest of the Marmara Region
of Turkey
. The floods led to the death of at least 31 people and the cost of damage has been estimated as being in excess of $70 million.
, described the rain as the "worst in 500 years".
, where two further people are missing. Muammer Guler
, governor of Istanbul, said 20 people were injured by the floods. Officials and experts have blamed the high death toll on unplanned urbanisation in Istanbul, which has seen buildings constructed in river beds, and an inadequate infrastructure system.
In some places the water reached a metre (3 ft) in depth, cutting access to Istanbul's main airport and the highway running to Bulgaria
and Greece
. According to state-run news agency, Anatolia News, one building collapsed, although there were no reported casualties. Police have been deployed to prevent looting from abandoned shops and factories, although the press has recorded instances of looting from vehicles. In north-west Turkey two bridges on the Bahçeköy–Saray
highway were also destroyed by floods at the same time. More than 200 cars have been washed into the Marmara Sea and dozens of trucks damaged.
has pledged to compensate residents of Istanbul affected by the floods. The Red Crescent Society
has dispatched tents, blankets, food and personnel to the area to help survivors.
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Tekirdağ
Tekirdag
Tekirdağ , the ancient Bisanthi , is a city in Eastern Thrace, in the European part of Turkey. Tekirdağ is the capital of Tekirdağ Province, felt by the local people to be a quieter and more pleasant town than the industrial centre of Çorlu, which it administers. The city population as of 2009 was...
, and the rest of the Marmara Region
Marmara Region
The Marmara Region , with a surface area of 67.000 km², is the smallest but most densely populated of the seven geographical regions of Turkey...
of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The floods led to the death of at least 31 people and the cost of damage has been estimated as being in excess of $70 million.
Background
The floods followed a two day period of heavy rainfall, the worst the country had seen for 80 years, which had began on 7 September. During the evening and night of 8 September the rain became increasingly strong leading to flash floods across the city early on the morning of 9 September, with low-lying areas to the west of the city being the worst affected. Turkey's Minister of Environment and Forests, Veysel EroğluVeysel Eroglu
Prof. Veysel Eroğlu is currently Minister of Environment and Forests of Turkey and a Member of Parliament for Afyonkarahisar of the ruling Justice and Development Party.-Career:...
, described the rain as the "worst in 500 years".
Impacts
At least 31 people were killed across the region and dozens were stranded in cars or on rooftops and an unknown number remain missing. Three of the deaths occurred in western suburbs of Istanbul on 8 September, 21 people lost their lives in Istanbul on 9 September and seven more in neighbouring Tekirdağ ProvinceTekirdag Province
The Tekirdağ Province is in Trakya , the northwestern part of Turkey. The capital city is Tekirdağ. It is famous for its meatball called "Tekirdağ köfte" and the Turkish alcoholic drink called Tekirdağ rakısı.-Districts:...
, where two further people are missing. Muammer Guler
Muammer Güler
Muammer Güler is a Turkish civil servant and was previously the governor of Istanbul Province.-Biography:Güler was born in Mardin, Turkey. He completed his primary education in Ankara and graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Ankara in 1972. Güler began his career as candidate...
, governor of Istanbul, said 20 people were injured by the floods. Officials and experts have blamed the high death toll on unplanned urbanisation in Istanbul, which has seen buildings constructed in river beds, and an inadequate infrastructure system.
In some places the water reached a metre (3 ft) in depth, cutting access to Istanbul's main airport and the highway running to Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. According to state-run news agency, Anatolia News, one building collapsed, although there were no reported casualties. Police have been deployed to prevent looting from abandoned shops and factories, although the press has recorded instances of looting from vehicles. In north-west Turkey two bridges on the Bahçeköy–Saray
Saray, Tekirdag
Saray is a town and district of Tekirdağ Province inland in Thrace, the European part of Turkey. Population is about 17,100. It covers an area of 612 km², and the elevation is 140 m. The district has cold wet winters and hot dry summers. The mayor is Nazmi Çoban .-Geography:Saray is 78 km...
highway were also destroyed by floods at the same time. More than 200 cars have been washed into the Marmara Sea and dozens of trucks damaged.
Emergency response
Since the floods began on Tuesday, more than 1,000 people have been rescued by emergency services. Turkish officials have also stated that more than 900 firefighters and rescuers are working in the affected areas, backed up by a fleet of more than 200 vehicles and 30 dinghies. Interior Minister Beşir AtalayBesir Atalay
Beşir Atalay is a Turkish politician who is the current Deputy Prime Minister in the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He was Minister of the Interior from 28 August 2007 to 14 July 2011.-Early years and academic career:...
has pledged to compensate residents of Istanbul affected by the floods. The Red Crescent Society
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
has dispatched tents, blankets, food and personnel to the area to help survivors.