Uzundere, Erzurum hit by severe flooding and flash floods

Heavy rainfall in the Uzundere district of Erzurum has triggered significant flooding and flash floods, disrupting local life and transportation. The sudden downpour, which began around 16:00, impacted the district center as well as the neighborhoods of Balıklı, Çamlıyamaç, Dikyar, and Sapaca.

In the Gölbaşı neighborhood, the flooding was particularly severe, resulting in two vehicles being swept away by floodwaters. Additionally, heavy debris, stones, and mud flowing from the mountains completely blocked the road to the Gölbaşı Mosque. The Erzurum-Artvin highway was also closed to traffic at the Uzundere center crossing for safety reasons, with security forces redirecting vehicles to service roads.

Emergency response efforts are being coordinated by AFAD, with Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality, Uzundere Municipality, and the State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) deploying heavy machinery to clear debris and reopen roads. Local officials, including Uzundere District Governor Muhammet Taha Canpolat and Mayor M. Halis Özsoy, have visited the affected areas to oversee damage assessment and cleaning operations.