Minister Yerlikaya: Over 2,000 notices received to date
Flood Disaster Hits Bartın Province in Turkey
Bartın, one of the provinces in Turkey, has experienced a devastating flood disaster following severe rainfall. The General Directorate of Meteorology had issued warnings, including 15 orange codes and 4 yellow codes, in several provinces across the country. As a result, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya and Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç traveled to Bartın to oversee the rescue and relief operations.
In a statement at the Security and Emergencies Coordination Center, Minister Ali Yerlikaya emphasized the seriousness of the situation. He mentioned that 19 provinces, including Bartın, had received warnings of heavy precipitation. As of now, 13 provinces are still under orange warnings, including Artvin, Giresun, Ordu, Samsun, Trabzon, Düzce, Bolu, Kastamonu, Rize, Sinop, Zonguldak, and Karabük. The authorities have received a total of 2,156 notifications regarding excessive precipitation in all affected provinces. Yerlikaya assured that each report is being evaluated diligently. So far, 23 citizens stranded due to the heavy rains have been rescued by helicopters, while 570 others were saved by boats and construction equipment and evacuated to safe areas. The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has deployed 449 search and rescue personnel, including 25 divers, to support the ongoing operations. Additionally, 4,283 personnel, 2 helicopters, and 439 heavy equipment have also been assigned to the affected regions.
Following the heavy rainfall that started the previous night, 588 notifications have been received so far. The Amasra district received 183 kilograms of precipitation per square meter in the last 24 hours, while the center of Bartın experienced 135 kilograms. Rescue efforts have successfully saved 126 citizens using helicopters, boats, and construction equipment. The General Directorate of Meteorology predicts continuous torrential rain in Bartın until 15:00 tomorrow, with the orange warning still in effect. A total of 1,297 personnel are currently working in the region, and this number is expected to reach 3,333 with the arrival of additional personnel tomorrow. The authorities have also deployed 170 construction equipment, a helicopter, 150 vehicles, 20 ambulances, 11 rescue boats, and a mobile catering vehicle to aid in rescue and relief efforts. The focus remains on restoring energy to the affected villages and reopening closed roads.
At the same time, Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç highlighted the significance of dams in mitigating the flood threat. Heavy rains have caused floods in several cities, including Bartın and other provinces in the Western and Central Black Sea Regions. However, thanks to the Kirazköprü dam, the city center of Bartın was saved from a major disaster, with the dam currently at a 60 percent occupancy rate. The Kozcagiz dam, currently at a 15 percent occupancy rate, and the Barracks Dam, also at 15 percent occupancy, have played vital roles in protecting the area. Nonetheless, 155 out of 260 villages in Bartın province have been affected by the floods, resulting in damage to various districts, towns, and villages. Despite these challenges, there have been no reports of casualties.
The authorities are actively involved in assessing the damage caused by the floods and have allocated 30 million appropriations from AFAD Emergency to Bartın province. They have also sent necessary resources to other affected provinces. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is closely monitoring the situation and providing instructions to the relevant ministries. Minister Tunç emphasized that the cooperation among various government agencies is ongoing to manage the crisis effectively.
Minister Tunç urged citizens to heed the warnings issued by the Governor’s Office and advised them to stay away from streambeds and seek higher ground. He assured the public that the government is committed to providing all necessary assistance and resources to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected individuals. The vigilance of the authorities and citizens will be crucial in overcoming the flood threat.
The current priority is to continue rescue operations, assess damage, and provide aid to those affected by the floods. The government remains committed to supporting the affected areas and minimizing further losses.
