Storm damage in Rize assessed at 1.042 billion Turkish liras

Following the heavy rainfall in Rize, damage to vehicles, businesses, homes, roads, walls and agricultural areas was assessed at a total of 1.042 billion Turkish liras. Damage assessments are continuing at approximately 200 locations; no one was killed, and precautions were urged in some areas due to the risk of landslides.

Heavy rainfall in Rize caused damage, particularly in the coastal districts of İyidere and Pazar. In addition to property damage to vehicles, businesses and homes, the total damage to walls, culverts and roads has so far been assessed at 1.042 billion Turkish liras.

Governor Baydaş provided information about the impact of the rainfall and the ongoing work at a press conference held at the Provincial Directorate of Disaster and Emergency Management. Teams from the Provincial Directorate of Disaster and Emergency Management, the General Directorate of Highways, the State Hydraulic Works, the Treasury and Finance Directorate, the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Special Provincial Administration have completed the first phase of their field assessments and evaluations.

Damage assessments continue

Baydaş said the work would continue and that businesses that could not be inspected because they were unable to open on the day the rainfall occurred would also be assessed. A final summary of the work required will be prepared once the assessments are complete.

Rize'de sağanak sonrası 1 milyar 42 milyon liralık hasar tespit edildi

Baydaş said work to repair the damage in district centers was progressing rapidly, adding that damage to homes would be addressed along with the destruction affecting walls, culverts and roads. Funding will be requested for the work.

Baydaş said teams were working at approximately 200 locations and noted that the damage identified so far included property damage to vehicles, businesses and homes, as well as damage to walls and houses. Baydaş said the assessment work would continue until Friday.

No loss of life reported

Baydaş said rainfall in some areas had approached 200 kilograms per square meter, adding that it was reassuring that no one had been killed. He said repair work in the affected areas began on the day of the rainfall and was continuing as assessments were completed.

Baydaş said the region was experiencing a transitional period during which rainfall could occur and that warnings from the General Directorate of Meteorology were being closely monitored. He said some businesses and homes had been evacuated at night before the previous rainfall in line with the warnings, and that the necessary precautions had been taken in response to new warnings.

Warning for areas at risk of landslides

Baydaş urged residents living in areas at risk of landslides to exercise caution and avoid being in risky areas. A technical report will be prepared for the area, where approximately 30 households are located and a landslide occurred in the lower section, by a team of scientists and geological and civil engineers.

Baydaş said precautions should be taken, particularly before rainfall, until the technical report is completed, adding that the warnings were not limited to this area. Residents in other areas expected to be affected by the rainfall were also urged to heed the warnings.

Damage to agricultural areas being recorded

Baydaş said damage to agricultural areas was also being recorded, adding that assessment work in tea plantations was being carried out by the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry. Land unsuitable for use and damage to crops are being assessed separately.

Assessments of damaged beehives and animals that died are also being conducted as part of the work.