On October 27, 2026, the morning rush across Istanbul began beneath a heavy downpour. The Meteorological General Directorate had issued advance warnings, but when the torrential rain struck, its impact on daily life was immediate. Citizens stepping out for their morning journeys were forced to adapt on the fly, with some opening umbrellas to ward off the rain while others ran across streets to seek shelter.
What started as a heavy shower quickly escalated into severe citywide disruption. Across Istanbul, main roads succumbed to the deluge, with stretches of pavement rapidly turning into lakes. For commuters navigating the early traffic, navigating the rising water proved treacherous, as stranded vehicles became stuck in deep pools that inundated major transit corridors.
The infrastructure strain was especially acute in the districts of Tuzla and Pendik. Low-lying transit routes and underpasses in these areas collected runoff rapidly, creating hazardous traps for motorists. As water filled these sunken passages, routine drives turned into dangerous situations within minutes.
As water filled these sunken passages, routine drives turned into dangerous situations within minutes.
Inside a flooded underpass in Pendik, Cengiz Bektaş found himself caught in the middle of the rising water. On the morning of October 27, 2026, Bektaş was driving his daughter to her university, following behind larger vehicles that seemed to navigate the passage without incident.
Believing the route was manageable, he drove into the underpass, only for the deep water to stall his engine. "When I was passing in the morning, everyone was passing, including shuttle minibuses," Bektaş said. "As I was passing, suddenly the car stalled. We barely saved our lives. I was taking my daughter to university in the morning."
With the car immobilized and the water level posing a direct threat to the trapped occupants, immediate help arrived not from emergency services, but from people living nearby. Local residents who witnessed the vehicle get stuck moved quickly to intervene, helping Bektaş and his daughter escape the submerged automobile and guiding them to safety.
Safe on dry ground, Bektaş was left waiting for a tow truck to recover his disabled vehicle. "They helped and got us out of here," he said. "I called a tow truck, I'm waiting for it."
His immediate ordeal reflects a broader municipal challenge. With meteorological forecasts indicating that the rain will continue throughout the week, commuters across Istanbul face ongoing disruptions as the city grapples with the lingering downpour.