Northern Turkey hit by heavy rains, floods

Northern Turkey was hit by heavy rain and flash floods on the first day of a Muslim holiday that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Heavy rain hit the Atakum district of Samsun on Wednesday night, the start of Eid al-Fitr, resulting in flash floods that damaged several homes and businesses Thursday morning, Today's Zaman reported. Rescue crews were sent out to help people who were stranded inside their homes due to the floods. Samsun Mayor Yusuf Ziya Yilmaz said the local government took precautions to prevent floods from causing further damage. No casualties have been reported in the area.