Flash floods kill one in Turkey's Black Sea province Ordu

ORDU

Flash floods caused by heavy rains in the Black Sea province of Ordu claimed one person’s life, according to officials.

The victim, identified as Bayram Sekmen, was reportedly buried under mud and debris after a landslide in the Seymenli neighborhood of the İkizce district on Aug. 9, a local official told state-run Anadolu Agency.

According to the Health Ministry, 10 people sought hospital treatment but eight of them have been discharged while the remaining two are under treatment for slight injuries.

Speaking in the northern province of Rize on Aug. 9, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the government would help the flood victims.

“This state, this nation is strong,” Erdoğan said.

Vice President Fuat Oktay earlier told reporters the rains damaged 66 houses and 264 shops and dozens of vehicles.

Speaking to reporters in Ordu, Transportation Minister Mehmet Cahit Turhan said the flash floods also caused seven bridges across the province to collapse and badly damaged another.

The damaged bridge is out of service but will be repaired as soon as possible, he added.

Heavy rainfall starting on Aug. 8 caused landslides and flooding in the region, especially in the Fatsa and Ünye districts.

Many roads in Ünye are reportedly closed to traffic as water levels rise.

Heavy rain also hit Rize

Heavy rain and flash floods also hit another Black Sea province of Rize on Aug. 9, damaging touristic facilities in the region.

The basements of several homes and businesses were flooded while two houses were evacuated as a precaution in the province.

The highway between the provinces of Ardeşen and Çamlıhemşin was closed overnight due to landslides but the traffic resumed later on Aug. 10.

The Fındıklı, Ardeşen and Pazar provinces of Rize also suffered from torrential rain.

Teams from the Search and Rescue Association (AKUT) and Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) helped those stranded in the affected areas.

Landslides blocked roads leading to 15 villages in the region.