Istanbul Governorate announced on the night of October 14 that face to face education across the city will be suspended for one day, Thursday October 15, 2026, because of intense rainfall and continuing adverse weather. The governorate described the decision as a precaution to reduce risk to students and families while municipal and emergency teams work to clear flooded roads and stabilise public services.
What the governorate orders and who it affects
The governorate statement ordered that all official and private pre school, primary and secondary schools will not hold in person classes on October 15. Universities were excluded from the blanket pause and university administrations have been asked to publish separate arrangements where necessary. The governorate also said that certain public employees will be granted administrative leave for the same day, including people with disabilities, pregnant staff, veterans with disabilities, and women with children under the age of eight. The measures aim to limit unnecessary travel and reduce pressure on transport services while crews attend the most affected neighbourhoods.
Transport, traffic and emergency response
Authorities said the rainfall caused localised flooding, surface water on arterials and overflow in small streams and creeks, forcing temporary closures on some routes and creating delays across the metropolitan area. The governorate statement noted that measures are in place to prioritise emergency access and clearing operations. In earlier reports on October 14, emergency coordination centres received thousands of calls related to weather impacts and mobilised crews to respond to flooding, fallen trees and stranded vehicles.
Municipalities and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority coordinated the initial response. Officials said teams are working around the clock with pumping equipment and clearance crews to reopen stranded streets and to protect critical infrastructure. The governorate reiterated warnings to residents to avoid non essential journeys while heavy showers persist, and to follow the instructions of local authorities.
Why officials made the decision now
Officials framed the pause in in person schooling as an immediate risk management step. The combination of intense showers in short periods, urban drainage pressure and the potential for further heavy rain into the early hours of October 15 increased the likelihood that students and staff could face unsafe travel conditions to and from schools. By temporarily suspending face to face lessons, the governorate aims to reduce exposure while operational teams clear hazards and restore safe circulation in neighbourhoods.
How families and institutions should plan for October 15
Parents should assume schools will not hold face to face classes on October 15. Guardians should monitor official school or university communications for any instructions on remote learning or catch up arrangements.
Workers who fall into the categories specified by the governorate should check with their human resources offices about administrative leave procedures for October 15.
All residents are advised to avoid travel in flooded areas, move vehicles off low lying streets if safe to do so, and to report immediate dangers to local emergency services.
Context and what to watch next
City authorities emphasised that the suspension is temporary and conditioned on weather and clearance operations. Local institutions will assess conditions overnight and issue updates if the situation changes. The governorate also underlined that public services remain prioritised for emergency access and that further targeted closures or travel restrictions could follow if heavy showers continue.
For families and commuting workers, the most immediate effects will be a single day without face to face schooling and likely delays in road transport as crews continue clearance work. Officials said they will publish any new guidance promptly should the weather forecast worsen or new hazards emerge.
The governorate notice is part of a broader set of provincial measures issued across several provinces that faced intense rain during the same period. Residents in neighbouring provinces were also advised to follow local authority notices as conditions varied across the Marmara and northwestern regions.
Authorities urged caution but said emergency services remain active and coordinated to restore normal operations as quickly as conditions permit.
