Flood threat triggers mass evacuation of homes in Türkiye’s Tokat region PHOTO

Around 70 residential homes have been evacuated in the village of Tepekışla in Türkiye’s Tokat province due to the risk of flooding, local authorities have said, according to TRT Haber.

Heavy rainfall and rising water levels in the Kelkit River led to localised flooding in several areas. The situation was further worsened by water released from an upstream dam, which caused additional rises in the river level and flooding of agricultural land.

Emergency response teams, including district administration units, municipal services, police, gendarmerie, and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), have been deployed to the area. Residents were urged via loudspeakers to leave their homes and follow safety instructions.

Village head Duran Şahin said the flood damaged infrastructure, including a pedestrian bridge, and submerged wheat, barley, and fruit orchards, with potential losses affecting hundreds of hectares of farmland.

Local teams continue evacuation operations using boats, while monitoring the situation with drones. The village has around 87 families, some of whom have been temporarily relocated to safe areas.

By Jeyhun Aghazada