Life across Turkey remains on hold amid continued snow

ISTANBUL

AFP photo

Sub-zero temperatures in many provinces across the country continued, including the largest city, Istanbul, prompting authorities to close schools in many provinces. 

According to information obtained from Istanbul’s Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM), snow and rain mixed with snow is expected to continue until Jan. 13 in Istanbul. The weather is expected to be mostly cloudy in the upcoming days and authorities have said rainfall will start on Jan. 12.

Temperatures are anticipated to rise with the end of the snowfall. Authorities have said warmer wind will arrive from the southwest starting late on Jan. 10. However, temperatures at night are expected to continue at sub-zero levels. Authorities have said the temperature in Istanbul is expected to rise by up to 10 degrees during the day on Jan. 14. 

Turkish Airlines (THY) has announced that domestic flights that were canceled due to heavy snowfall, storms and a loss of visibility have started to resume. On Jan. 9, THY announced that all domestic flights were canceled until 12 a.m. on Jan. 10. 

“A total of 300 flights are scheduled to be conducted on Jan. 10 amid the intense struggle against snow and cleaning efforts in Atatürk Airport. Please follow the developments on our website,” THY General Manager Bilal Ekşi said. 

According to a statement released on THY’s website, a total of 338 flights were canceled from Atatürk and Sabiha Gökçen Airports on Jan. 10 because of heavy snowfall, storms and ice. 

Due to the cancelation of flights, many passengers at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport were seen sleeping on the floor. Passengers who needed wheelchairs were given priority for hotels. 

Queues in front of ticket sales offices were reported to be continuing.

Istanbul’s Fast Ferry and Sea Bus Company (IDO) announced the cancelation of all its services due to the winter conditions on Jan. 10, while Bursa’s BUDO also canceled many trips to and from Istanbul.
Meanwhile, students in many provinces, including Istanbul, enjoyed a day off from school, as most of them went outside to play in the snow. 

The Istanbul Governor’s Office also announced that schools would stay shut for the third day in a row on Jan. 11 due to the snowfall.

Exams scheduled to be held on Jan. 10 at many universities were postponed until further notice.

The authorities have said precipitation will continue in the country’s western and eastern lines. Heavy rainfall is expected in the Black Sea provinces and the southern parts of the country. 

Heavy snowfall is anticipated in the higher regions of the country, while authorities have said rainfall will occur in areas of lower elevation.

Temperatures are also below seasonal norms in the western province of İzmir, with snowfall occurring in several districts of the province. Residents of the Aegean city went out onto the streets to take pictures at the snow, which rarely falls in the otherwise warm province.