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Turkey's Interior Ministry warned citizens to take precautions today as heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds are expected across much of the country. The alert was based on the latest information from the Meteorology General Directorate.

Rainfall is forecast to be locally very heavy and severe in parts of northwestern Turkey, while storms are expected to intensify in several regions starting in the evening hours.

Heavy rain forecast across the country

The Ministry shared the forecast on its social account today. In Istanbul, rain is expected to be locally heavy, becoming locally very heavy and severe in places after noon, particularly on the city's Asian side.

Yalova, Kocaeli and Sakarya are forecast to see locally very heavy and severe rain, while Bursa and Bilecik are expected to get heavy to very heavy rainfall with occasional thunder. Locally very heavy and severe downpours, with thunderstorms in places, are predicted for Zonguldak, Bartin, Duzce and the northern districts of Kastamonu.

Heavy rain is also expected around Antalya, Burdur and Isparta, with locally very heavy showers and thunder in the inland areas east of Antalya. Locally heavy rainfall with thunder is forecast for Izmir, eastern Aydin and Manisa, Denizli, Usak, Kutahya, western Konya and, later in the day, around Afyonkarahisar and Eskisehir.

Rainfall in Ankara is expected to intensify, with locally heavy showers forecast for Cankiri, Kirikkale and Bolu. In the south, locally heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected around Adana and Osmaniye, along the coasts of Mersin and Hatay, and in the southwestern districts of Kahramanmaras.

Storms set to strengthen

Strong southerly winds turning into storms are forecast today for the Western Mediterranean, the inland parts of the Eastern Mediterranean, southern and eastern Central Anatolia, the inland areas of the central and eastern Black Sea region, and western Eastern Anatolia.

From the evening hours, storms are expected from the west and northwest in the northern part of Istanbul's Asian side and around Kocaeli and Sakarya. After nightfall, storms are forecast around Duzce, Zonguldak and Bartin, and from Sunday morning strong storms are expected in northern Kastamonu, around Sinop and inland Samsun, blowing from the west and southwest.

Authorities urge caution

The Ministry called on the public to be careful and take precautions against flash floods, waterlogging, lightning, local hail, strong winds during downpours, flying roof tiles and transport disruptions. Citizens were also told to follow the warnings issued by the competent authorities.

Key takeaways

• The Interior Ministry issued a nationwide warning today for heavy rain and storms based on Meteorology General Directorate data.
• Rain is forecast to be locally very heavy and severe in Istanbul's Asian side, Yalova, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Zonguldak, Bartin, Duzce and northern Kastamonu.
• Strong southerly winds turning into storms are expected across several regions, with storms intensifying in parts of the northwest from the evening hours.
• Citizens were urged to watch for flash floods, lightning, hail, flying roof tiles and transport disruption and to follow official warnings.