Istanbul floods: Turkiye hit by heaviest rainfall in 80 years

These cars were swept downhill by a sudden torrent, crushed together by the force of the floodwaters. In Istanbul's Ayaza neighborhood, the water has receded, leaving behind a trail of destruction. A sudden downpour began, and shortly afterwards, we saw the stream overflow. About ten minutes after the rain started, vehicles began coming downhill, swept along by the floodwaters. Across Istanbul and several other provinces, the downpour has caused widespread flooding. Officials say it's the most severe rainfall the city has experienced in at least 80 years. The water rose within minutes, turning roads into torrents and leaving families and businesses to count the cost. Now, many are looking for help to recover what they have lost. No one has come to help us since yesterday. We're still in the same situation and no one has even come to ask how we are doing. For business owners, the damage goes beyond the buildings themselves. Fahrettin Celik says he returned the next morning to find his showroom had collapsed. The water was up at my waist as I made my way home. All my products were completely destroyed. Istanbul is a city of around 16 million people, bridging Europe and Asia. But here, in Ayaza and neighboring areas, the immediate concern is recovery. Schools have been canceled, and over 50,000 personnel have been activated across the country for disaster recovery. Residents say they need clear information about compensation and support as they try to repair damaged vehicles, reopen businesses, and rebuild their lives after the flood. Dalia Al-Masri, Al Jazeera.