10 Jul 2023 | 10:41 AM UTC
Turkiye: Disruptions due to flooding and landslides ongoing across northern regions as of July 10
Disruptions due to flooding and landslides ongoing across parts of northern Turkiye as of July 10. Further adverse weather forecast.
Event
Disruptions due to flooding and landslides are ongoing across parts of northern Turkiye as of July 10. Heavy rainfall since late July 8 has led to the closure of some major routes in the affected region. Flooding and landslides caused sections of the main highway linking Istanbul and Ankara to be closed in Bolu Province as of early July 10, including the Bolu Mountain Tunnel. Motorists are being advised to use alternative routes via Eskisehir for travel between Turkiye's two main cities. Further road closures have been reported along the Black Sea coast road between Giresun and Samsun provinces and the highway linking Zonguldak and Karabuk provinces; the highway between Duzce and Yigilca in Duzce province was also temporarily closed due to flooding late July 9 but has since reopened. Further disruptions are likely across many other routes in the affected region, Authorities have reported one flood-related fatality in Samsun Province and material damage has been reported in Bartin, Corum, Duzce, Erzincan, Karabuk, Sakarya, and Zonguldak. Water shortages have been reported in Duzce Municipality after a landslide impacted the main water supply facility and power outages are ongoing in parts of Zonguldak Province due to flooded electricity supply infrastructure.
Further adverse weather is forecasted in parts of the central and eastern Black Sea Region through at least late July 10, before conditions are generally forecast to improve across the region. The General Directorate of Meteorology has issued orange thunderstorm warnings across Artvin, Giresun, Ordu, Rize, Samsun, Sinop, and Trabzon provinces July 10. Storms may be accompanied by heavy downpours, strong winds, lightning, and possible hail. Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.
Hazardous Conditions
The storms could produce heavy rainfall, strong winds, and isolated thunderstorm activity in the affected provinces. Where sustained heavy rainfall occurs, flash and areal flooding are possible. Such flooding is possible in low-lying communities near watercourses and other large bodies of water and in urban areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites downstream of large reservoirs may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Power outages are possible across the affected areas.
Transport
The severe weather could contribute to transport disruptions throughout the region. Traffic and commercial trucking delays might occur along regional highways. Flooding downpours could inundate some low-lying roads in areas with poor drainage. Strong winds might also pose a hazard to high-profile vehicles. Hazardous weather conditions might cause flight delays and cancellations at airports in the region. Authorities may temporarily suspend port operations or close beach fronts if strong winds trigger hazardous sea conditions.
Advice
Monitor local media for weather-related updates and advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business arrangements before traveling in the affected area. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where severe weather is forecast; plan for possible supply chain disruptions throughout the affected areas. Stay away from elevated streams, creeks, and other watercourses that are prone to flash flooding. Do not attempt to navigate flooded roadways. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
