ISTANBUL 

Turkey's largest city Istanbul was hit on Tuesday by hail and heavy rain, causing floods and traffic disruptions.

Heavy rains, accompanied by thunderstorms, poured in districts on either side of the iconic Bosphorus Strait that runs through the city, dividing it into its European and Anatolian sides.

Traffic on the D-100 and TEM highways were interrupted due to the heavy rain.

A marketplace in Istanbul's Arnavutkoy district was inundated, while the Kadikoy-Moda tramline and Eyup-Piyer Loti cablecars faced interruptions.

Local meteorology officials urged caution against flash flooding, lightning, hail, strong winds and possible tornados during the rainfall.