Flooding wreaks havoc in Izmir due to heavy rainfall
Floods Hit Çitlembik Creek After Heavy Rainfall in Izmir
Çitlembik Creek in Izmir, Turkey experienced a devastating flood following heavy rainfall. The overflowing water affected the houses, workplaces, and vehicles located near the stream, forcing vehicles to be dragged approximately 20 meters.
Local residents found themselves in distress as their homes were flooded, resulting in significant damage to their belongings. In response, they began using buckets to empty the accumulated water. The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department was notified of the situation and promptly dispatched teams to the neighborhood to assess the extent of the damage.
One resident, Bahtiyar Şanlı, spoke out about the lack of precautions taken by authorities. He explained that his cancer patient brother and his three children resided in the house adjacent to the stream, which was flooded due to heavy rain. Şanlı expressed frustration, stating, “We are trying to drain the water in the house. The authorities do not take any precautions. Where in Izmir are precautions taken? We are not the only ones. Everywhere in the neighborhood is like this. The rainwater even washed away the cars.”
Another resident, Can Çetin, highlighted the recurring issue of Çitlembik Stream overflowing every year and causing flooding in the neighborhood. Çetin called on the local municipality to take action and said, “We want Karabağlar Municipality to show interest and care here. While my car was parked, heavy rain suddenly came. I could not save my car. My car was dragged with the water. It reached the mouth of the stream. My car is in ruins. Tomorrow, when we take it to the mechanic, we will pay the price.”
Metin Gül, who relocated to Izmir with his family following earthquakes in Hatay and Kahramanmaraş, described the terrifying moment when rainwater started flooding their house as soon as they opened the door. Gül expressed feelings of helplessness, stating, “It was a disaster. I don’t know how to explain it. We have been trying to drain the water for 2 hours. Escaping from one disaster and being stuck in another makes people helpless.”
Nevzat Tinter, a local business owner, expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation. He revealed that his shop was flooded two years ago, and history repeated itself during this recent flood. Tinter emphasized the need for authorities to find a solution, saying, “This cannot happen. The authorities should find a solution. I want my damages to be compensated.”
The heavy rainfall also caused negative impacts in some streets and avenues in the Konak and Karabağlar districts. The communities affected by the flood are now calling on the authorities to address their concerns and prevent future disasters of this nature.
