Turkey issues widespread heavy rain and thunderstorm warnings
The Meteorology General Directorate warned that a cool, moist air mass will bring heavy rain and thunderstorm activity across much of Turkey in early July. Forecasts call for downpours on July 9‑10 in Istanbul and surrounding provinces, with gusts of 40‑70 km/h, localised hail, lightning and a risk of flash floods and road disruptions.
The Interior Ministry issued yellow‑code alerts for ten provinces—including Antalya, Artvin, Burdur, Denizli, Giresun, Isparta, Muğla, Ordu, Rize and Trabzon—urging residents to stay alert for sudden flooding, water‑barrages, and strong winds. Similar warnings were issued for the Marmara, Aegean and Central Anatolia regions, where intense rain could trigger landslides and localised flooding.
In Konya’s Selçuklu district, heavy rain quickly turned into a flash flood, prompting authorities to advise caution against lightning, hail and transport interruptions. Following the rains, the State Hydraulic Works released about 20 million m³ of water into the Akgöl wetland, restoring its ecosystem and attracting migratory birds.