Deadly Floods Wreck Black Sea Provinces in Turkey
Torrential downpours hammered Turkey’s Black Sea provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu, and Sinop on Wednesday, triggering catastrophic floods. Homes were destroyed, at least five bridges collapsed, cars were swept away, and numerous roads became impassable.
Turkish disaster agency AFAD confirmed 34 deaths in Kastamonu and six in Sinop. Nine people remain hospitalised in Sinop, and one person is missing in Bartin. But locals and opposition lawmakers claim hundreds are still missing, sparking fears the death toll may soar.
Mass Evacuations and Rescue Drama
Authorities evacuated around 2,250 residents, some plucked from rooftops by helicopters. Many victims have been temporarily housed in student dormitories as rescue efforts continue amid the devastation.
Climate Change and Construction Failures Worsen Disaster
Experts say climate change fuels extreme weather events like these deadly floods, caused by rising global temperatures due to fossil fuel burning. But Turkish specialists also blame poor planning and reckless river interference for the scope of the damage.
Geologists revealed how construction narrowed the Ezine stream’s riverbed in Kastamonu’s Bozkurt district from 400 meters to just 15 meters. Buildings now sit perilously close to the water, leaving little room for floodwaters to escape during heavy rains. Residents’ videos show the flooded streets and homes crushed by the rushing torrent.
Floods Follow Devastating Southern Fires
The latest floods come hot on the heels of devastating wildfires in southern Turkey’s Mugla and Antalya provinces. Those blazes scorched vast forestlands, killed at least eight people, and forced thousands from their homes in popular tourist spots.
The twin disasters highlight Turkey’s increasing vulnerability to climate-driven catastrophes.
