Heavy rain brought life to a temporary halt on the Anatolian side of Istanbul early June 23 as flooding on the E-5 highway left cars stranded and traffic stopped.The E-5 highway was closed to traffic in both directions as vehicles had to be removed and the highway cleaned of excess water. The rainfall was “locally heavy” and affected the Anatolian part of the city in particular.  The General Directorate of Meteorology warned that rainfall would continue to affect the city and urged state officials and citizens to take necessary precautions. “The downpour is expected to continue in the coming hours. The rainfall will likely affect the Bosphorus and the European side, in addition to the Anatolian side. Citizens and officials should be cautious about locally heavy rain, wind and hail,” the statement said.