Turkey witnesses the worst flooding in 80 years

PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 23 people have been killed and a number of others are missing after flash floods in north-west Turkey.

The flooding struck districts in and around Turkey's largest city of Istanbul, swamping houses and roads.



The flooding was caused by torrential rainfall- the worst in 80 years- that has been lashing the area since Monday. It has been reported in Turkey that one area received 24cm of rain in just two hours.



Istanbul's Deputy Governor Hikmet Cakmak described the scene in the Ikitelli district as a "disaster", Turkish media report.



Roads, homes and farming land were submerged in nearby towns and at least two bridges collapsed.



The worst flooding was in low-lying areas in the western (European) part of the city straddling the Bosphorus Strait, which divides Europe from Asia. The centre of Istanbul has not really been affected by flooding, BBC reported.



According to Turkish media, at least 30 fell victims to the disaster. As PanARMENIAN.Net was reported, no Armenian Diaspora representatives were found among victims.