Heavy rainfall paralyzes daily life in Istanbul

Heavy rainfall once again paralyzed daily life in Istanbul on Aug. 29.

The Istanbul Municipality had warned citizens over the flood risk and storm approaching in the early hours of the day. Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş stated that wind speeds would see 75 km per hour.

Strong rainfall and storms largely hit part of Istanbul at noon as main roads closed due to flooding and the visibility range decreased to five meters in Istanbul traffic.

The rainfall and storm also affected maritime transport. Some inner city and long distance ferry lines were suspended due to the risk of storms.

Citizens took shelter from the storm in bus stops, entrances of buildings and offices.

Meanwhile, Odesa Boulevard in Istanbul's Şişli district was flooded. Three vehicles on the boulevard were stranded on the road due to flood waters.

One of the drivers of the vehicles rescued his vehicle on his own.

"I took my car out from the flood water by pushing it back. The vehicle took on water and it does not work. I have to call a mechanic now," he added.

Another driver also said he was stranded in the previous rainfall in Istanbul's Dolapdere district. 

"We have not learned our lesson from the previous experience. I was stranded before during the last rainfall in Dolapdere district. This is horrible," he said.

Meanwhile, Istanbul's iconic square, Taksim was also affected by the storm and rainfall.

Officials of Taksim metro station took precautions with sandbags against flood water as numbers of citizens took shelter in the station waiting for the rainfall to decrease.

However, the tunnel in Taksim connecting Istanbul's Beşiktaş and Kağıthane district was flooded.  

Some vehicles were...