Heavy overnight rain in Turkey’s Havza district in northern Samsun led to severe floods on Wednesday. Reports suggest damages to homes, businesses, and vehicles, leaving 12 people injured.
The rainfall started on Tuesday, leading to rivers and streams overflowing in the Black Sea coast. The phenomenon resulted in a flooding late at night and sent muddy water into residential neighbourhoods.
Videos have been shared on X, showing vehicles being swept away by the water, with roads being covered in heavy layers of mud and debris.
While no deaths have been reported, 12 people suffered minor injuries, according to local authorities. They are currently being treated at Banjir Hospital.
Samsun Governor Orhan Tavli told the media, “There has been no loss of life in the floods in Havza; injured persons have been taken to the hospital and are receiving treatment.”
Emergency teams, including firefighters, police officials, and disaster-response crews, were deployed to the site. According to reports, the overnight operation included rescuing stranded residents, evacuating flooded buildings, and clearing debris from the roads. Municipal workers also pumped water out of affected areas and examined the extent of damages to infrastructure.
Floodwaters reportedly reached almost one metre deep in some areas of the district, while mud deposits, with a thickness of up to 30 cm, were left behind after the water level went down.
Power went out in several places and schools in the district were closed for at least a day for the cleanup process. According to local television reporters, the cleanup operations were still in progress in hard-hit areas.
Steep terrain and rapidly rising rivers have made the Black Sea Coast susceptible to heavy floods. Experts warn that water can flood the drainage systems even with short but torrential storms. The region’s growing urban development near water bodies and reduced natural drainage have also paved the way for increased risks of flood.
