The death toll from the catastrophic floods in the Black Sea Region of Turkey has reached 59 according to disaster authorities in the country.
Torrential rain of more than 300mm in 24 hours hammered the provinces of Bartin, Kastamonu and Sinop in the Black Sea Region of northern Turkey on 11 August. The ensuing flooding and mudslides destroyed homes, roads, and 5 bridges. Power, water and telecommunications infrastructure were also damaged. Twenty-five villages remain without power in Kastamonu and 56 villages in Sinop.
As of 15 August, the disaster agency AFAD reported 49 fatalities in Kastamonu, 9 in Sinop and 1 in Bartin. Eight people remain in hospital after serious injury.
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said in a statement late on 14 August that 77 people – 62 in Kastamonu and 15 in Sinop – remain unaccounted for. Alongside clean-up and recovery operations, search and rescue operations are continuing. Around 6,000 emergency personnel have been deployed to the area, including 20 rescue dogs, 20 helicopters and two search planes.
AFAD said that as of 15 August 2,378 people had evacuated across affected areas, many of them airlifted to safety by helicopters. Student dormitories have been made available for those displaced, while others are staying with friends or relatives. Authorities have distributed thousands of hot meals in affected areas, as well as relief supplies including tents and bedding to areas of Kastamonu.
Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) warned of heavy rain on 15 August in areas of Trabzon, Rize and Artvin Provinces in the Black Sea Region. Çayeli in Rize already recorded 123.8 mm of rain in 24 hours to 14 August.
