Türkiye: Floods - Mar 2023

On 14-15 March heavy rainfall affected the Provinces of Adiyaman and Sanliurfa (southern Türkiye) causing floods and resulting in casualties and damage. According to media, 14 people have died, of which 12 in Sanliurfa (hit by 111 mm of rain in 24 hours) and two others in Adiyaman (136 mm of rain in 24 hours). In addition, at least five people are still missing (three in Adiyaman and two in Sanliurfa) as reported by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) and media. Search and rescue operations conducted by national authorities are ongoing over the area. (ECHO, 16 Mar 2023)

The damage of the flooding and what is left behind is striking in many districts of Adıyaman and Şanlıurfa, as the infrastructure facilities such as buildings, bridges and highways are demolished while some buildings can only be accessed by boat due to the river-like streets. More than 2000 homes, workplaces and vehicles are damaged, and some have been submerged in water. Despite surviving the earthquake, some homes have now been inundated with floodwaters, resulting in further displacement. (Turkish Red Crescent Society, 04 Apr 2023)

Heavy rainfall has been affecting northern Türkiye, in particular throughout the Black Sea region, since 4 June, causing floods, landslides and rivers overflows that have resulted in casualties and damage.

The Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) reports, as of 5 June, two fatalities, of which one is in Samsun and another in the Amasya Province. In this latter province, one person is still reported as missing. In addition, eight evacuated people were reported in the Sinop Province. Furthermore, a number of roads and bridges have been damaged across the aforementioned provinces and in the Kastamonu Province. (ECHO, 06 June 2023)

Heavy rainfall has been affecting the Black Sea region, northern Türkiye, since 9 July, causing floods and landslides that have resulted in casualties and damage.

According to the AFAD and media, as of 12 July, three fatalities are confirmed, of whom one is in Zonguldak Province and another in the Ordu Province. Almost 70 people have been evacuated and hundreds have been displaced. In addition, media report that more than 1,000 landslides occurred in Sakarya, Düzce, Bolu, Zonguldak, Bartin, Karabük, Kastamonu, Ordu, Giresun and Samsun Provinces. (ECHO, 13 July 2023)