"Heavy snowstorms are expected to continue in northern, central and eastern regions of the country. In addition to heavy snowfall, these regions will also experience strong winds," a State Meteorology Bureau statement issued yesterday read.
Meteorologists also warned people living near mountains in the northern and eastern parts of Anatolia of an increased avalanche risk. "Snow accumulation exceeded 70 centimeters in eastern Hakkari province. This figure is around 52 centimeters in Ağrı and 48 centimeters in Muş. We recommend that our citizens residing in these regions be vigilant about an increased avalanche risk, especially after Tuesday. We forecast frosts and avalanches in these regions starting Tuesday," they said.
Sea and land traffic in İstanbul was affected by heavy snow yesterday morning as reduced visibility forced a temporary suspension of marine traffic in all directions early in the morning across the Bosporus Strait. Around 30 domestic and foreign vessels had to anchor on the Şarköy coast of Tekirdağ province.
İstanbul Sea Buses and Fast Ferries Inc. (İDO) cancelled its Armutlu-Yenikapı-Bostancı and Erdek-Avşa-Marmara Adası routes due to strong winds. The Gelibolu-Lapseki, Gökçeada-Kabatepe and Bozcaada-Geyikli ferry routes were also cancelled in Çanakkale province owing to reduced visibility.
Turkish Airlines (THY) cancelled some of its domestic flights due to unfavorable weather conditions. THY officials were obliged to cancel flights between İstanbul-Kahramanmaraş, İstanbul-Sivas, İstanbul-Konya and İstanbul-Eskişehir because at one point visibility dropped to less than 50 meters. “We hope to restart flights as soon as weather conditions return to normal,” they said.
Dense fog and heavy snowstorms claimed one life in the northwestern city of Bursa. Şenol Akçay, 37, was found dead in Osmangazi province early yesterday morning. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be hypothermia. Sources said Akçay was homeless and had to spend freezing nights on the streets.
Numerous traffics accidents occurred due to heavy snow and icy roads in various cities. The General Directorate of Highways (KGM) announced that around 190 traffic accidents took place in İstanbul yesterday, but only two citizens were wounded. KGM officials urged drivers to be extra cautious while driving. “Drive slowly and carefully, especially where visibility drops significantly. Drivers should use their seatbelts in all circumstances and should comply with traffic signs,” they said.
Meanwhile, nine passengers were wounded when a passenger bus and an automobile collided yesterday in the central city of Yozgat. The wounded were rushed to a nearby hospital soon after the accident. Hospital staff stated that seven of them were released after being treated, but that the two others -- Gökhan Can, 20, and Önder Kaya, 24 -- had been gravely injured.
Thousands of roads leading to villages across the country have been closed. The number of village roads closed due to heavy snowfall has reached a total of 1,062 in Samsun, Sinop and Kastamonu provinces. In other cities such as Erzurum and Kars, around 300 roads have been closed to traffic. Despite municipal efforts to reopen the roads, some have remained closed due to further snowstorms. The lowest temperatures in the country were -16 degrees Celsius in Erzurum, -14 degrees in Kars, -12 degrees in Ağrı, -11degrees in Ardahan and -7 degrees in Erzincan.
Schools closed in various provinces
Heavy snowfall resulted in schools closing in many provinces across the country. Sources said primary and secondary schools in İstanbul, Bursa, Konya, Çorum, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Ankara, Zonguldak, Tokat, Kırşehir, Kahramanmaraş, Balıkesir, Kastamonu, Çanakkale, Muş, Tunceli, Düzce, Bartın, Çankırı, Samsun, Yalova and Sivas were shut because of heavy and expected snow. Delighted to hear about an additional one-day holiday, excited school children took to the empty streets for snowball fights.
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