Torrential Rains in Turkey Cause Deadly Floods in Earthquake-Ravaged Regions

Torrential rains have caused floods in two Turkish provinces that were struck by devastating earthquakes last month, killing at least 13 people and leaving several others missing, according to officials. Reports suggest that the floods, which hit on Wednesday, killed 11 people in Sanliurfa, located about 50km (30 miles) north of the Syrian border.

Additionally, two people died in nearby Adiyaman, including a one-year-old child. The floods have further increased the misery of thousands who were left homeless by the earthquakes. Governor Numan Hatipoglu of Adiyaman province stated that two people died when surging waters swept away a container home in the town of Tut, where a group of earthquake survivors was living, and four people were reported missing. In neighboring Sanliurfa province, rescuers found the bodies of five Syrian nationals inside a flooded basement apartment and retrieved two other bodies from a van that was trapped at an underpass. Four other people were killed, and two firefighters were reported missing, according to Sanliurfa Governor Salih Ayhan.

Several people were evacuated from a drenched campsite where earthquake survivors were sheltering in tents, and patients were also evacuated from a hospital. Footage from Sanliurfa showed floodwaters surging along a street and sweeping away cars. Turkey's disaster management agency stated that over a dozen professional divers were involved in the rescue efforts in each of the two provinces. The earthquakes that struck parts of Turkey and Syria on February 6 killed over 52,000 people, with the vast majority in Turkey. Over 200,000 buildings either collapsed or suffered severe damage. The recent floods have only added to the woes of the survivors, highlighting the urgent need for support and aid in the affected regions.

The use of safety apps can also play a vital role in safeguarding the safety of people. One such app is POTP. It can notify people and look for help in case of danger.