Severe Rainfall Hits Agricultural Lands in Eastern Black Sea Region

September 19, 2026 · Milliyet Ekonomi

Extreme downpours, reaching up to 150 kilograms per square meter in Rize and Trabzon, caused landslides and floods in tea plantations and agricultural areas.

Severe Rainfall Alert in Eastern Black Sea Region

Following yellow and orange code warnings issued by the General Directorate of Meteorology, severe downpours affected the Eastern Black Sea region. The continuous rainfall throughout the night brought life to a standstill, particularly in Rize and Trabzon. Streams overflowed in settlements along the coast, and main arteries were submerged. Officials warned citizens to stay away from risk areas, while the extreme rainfall caused significant landslides in agricultural production areas in rural regions.

Landslides and Floods in İyidere District

In Rize's İyidere district, infrastructure systems were clogged due to rainfall exceeding 100 kilograms per square meter. Evaluating the intensity of the rainfall, İyidere Mayor Saffet Mete stated:

The exact amount of rainfall per square meter has not yet been determined. However, we estimate it to be over 150 kilograms.

Highlighting the extent of damage and evacuations in the district, İyidere Mayor Saffet Mete continued:

As of now, there are significant damages in 9 neighborhoods and 7 villages. The rainfall intensified greatly after midnight. The fact that there were no casualties is what makes us happiest. We evacuated 7 houses as a precaution.

Mete also stated that the district center was flooded as landslide debris blocked the mouths of streams.

Damage to Tea Gardens and Agriculture

Tea cultivation areas, intensively carried out in the higher parts of Rize, were directly affected by floods and landslides. Small and large-scale soil movements occurred near tea gardens located on steep slopes. Soil masses detached from the slopes damaged cultivated agricultural lands and blocked transportation routes. Describing the severity of the situation in the region, İyidere Mayor Saffet Mete explained the scale of the disaster with the following words:

İyidere had experienced such intense rain in its history, but never such a disaster.

Following the disaster, investigations were initiated by authorized units to assess the loss of agricultural yield in the region.

Flooding and Disruptions in Trabzon

With rainfall reaching 50 kilograms per square meter across Trabzon, streets and avenues turned into lakes. According to Trabzon Governorship data, transportation was disrupted in coastal areas, while power transmission lines experienced faults due to landslides in high-altitude neighborhoods. Soil movements caused by the rainfall resulted in deterioration of agricultural lands and road infrastructure. In Yalıncak Neighborhood, buildings were evacuated as a precaution after a retaining wall collapsed, and vehicles transporting agricultural products faced long delays due to water accumulation on the Black Sea Coastal Road.

Extensive Coordination Efforts in the Region

A crisis center was activated within the Trabzon Governorship, involving teams from AFAD, DSİ, and Highways. According to the Governorship's statement, approximately 780 personnel and 456 vehicles were deployed to the field, responding to 144 calls received by the 112 Emergency Call Center. Water drainage operations continued uninterrupted throughout the province, and preparations were made for the rehabilitation of agricultural lands in rural areas. Teams worked to control flood risk by cleaning culverts, while agricultural directorate teams organized preliminary damage assessment efforts in the field.

Flood and Rescue Efforts in Nevşehir

The downpour did not limit itself to the Black Sea region but also affected agricultural areas in the Central Anatolia region. In Karakaya village, Ürgüp district of Nevşehir, sudden heavy rainfall turned into local floods and torrents. Citizens trapped in a vehicle under a bridge were rescued at the last moment by villagers breaking the rear window. Water accumulation occurred in vineyards and agricultural areas in the region, and authorities urged producers to be cautious about the negative impacts of precipitation above seasonal norms on rural infrastructure and crops.

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