The downpour that started yesterday evening across Istanbul turned into a flood in Sarıyer Ayazağa. Due to flood waters reaching approximately 2 meters, vehicles were dragged away and many workplaces and streets were covered with mud. While cleaning and rescue efforts continued uninterruptedly in Ayazağa Square and the surrounding streets after the rain, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül also inspected the region. Neighborhood residents and shopkeepers talked about the frightening moments and grievances they experienced during the flood.
"1.5-2 METERS OF WATER FLOODED, WE ESCAPED TO THE MOSQUE"
Restaurant worker Ferhat Can stated that the rain suddenly started and the water level rose rapidly and said: "We were stranded here. Our bosses could not come because they were on the road, we are in a very disadvantaged situation. Last night it started raining around 19.00, and around 20.00 the shop was flooded. There are traces on the walls, the water rose up to 1.5-2 meters. We were confused about what to do, everyone ran towards the mosque. We came this morning, the situation is obvious. What to do now, how to clean it." "We don't know."
"IT HAPPENED IN 15 SECONDS, PEOPLE WERE DRAGED IN THE WATER"
Stating that she was stranded at the entrance of Ayazağa due to the closure of the entrances and exits to the district during the flood, Hatice Erol said, "Yesterday, I was not in the shop during the flood. I was stranded at the Ayazağa exit because the entrances and exits to Ayazağa were completely closed. But I heard that whatever happened happened in 15 seconds. In other words, I heard that there was no area or time period that could be intervened. People were dragged there in the flood, in the water, in front of my eyes, and there was no support, no resource, or support that anyone could intervene in or provide any help to." "There wasn't any, so the situation of our shops is obvious," he said.
Erol said, "I mean, how can we get through this process, how can we do what we can? I have no idea. I wish all our people to get well soon. There was a cat we were looking after in the shop. As I said, I was not here anyway, almost everyone of my friends mobilized, not just a single cat, but there are many animals in the environment that we took care of. Almost everyone tried to save animals other than themselves as much as they could. Now, one of them is mine, the other one is with another friend, the mother of the other kitten is with another friend of mine."
"THE WATER CAME TO MY NECK, I PUSHED THE COMING CARS WITH MY HAND"
Stating that they rescued children and an elderly person trapped in a drifting vehicle at the last moment, Seçkin Civan said, "We pulled out 4 little children from the vehicle that was drifting in the water, an old man from the backseat, and his driver friend. We immediately took them to shelter in the butcher shop, which is the safest place. 1.5-2 minutes after we took them out, that car was dragged 20 meters with the water and the water level exceeded the ceiling of the car. Because suddenly water came. We did not understand where it came from. There was a lot of rain in Ayazağa." "But it was the biggest rainfall in 84 years, but we had seen a lot of rain. It had never reached this level. I pushed the car with my hand, swimming in the water, so that I could open the road. We were in such a situation."
"THE STREAK BEDS WERE COVERED, THE WATER IN THE DUMPING AREA EXPLODED"
Neighborhood resident Sebahattin Bıyık said, "There was an old quarry used as a dumping area, above Ayazağa, on the upper side of Dereboyu Street. The water accumulated there burst the soil and flowed directly into Ayazağa. I do not think there will be such a large flood with rain alone. In addition, shops were built on the streams in Ayazağa for years, and the streams were covered. When the covered streams were also blocked, this disaster became inevitable."
