PodcastTurkey covered in white after heavy snowfall
Turkey has been under the influence of heavy snowfall since the weekend. While the highway between Ankara and Istanbul was temporarily closed, several precautions have been taken in the cities. All flights in and out of Istanbul Airport have been canceled until 6 p.m. on Jan. 24.
The General Directorate of Highways announced that the major highway that connects Istanbul to Ankara was closed due to the snowfall on the night of Jan. 23 and was reopened on Jan. 24 morning.
Several other highways across Turkey were closed as well.
Bolu Governor Ahmet Ümit said that the province had seen the heaviest snowfall since 1950.
While the snowfall continued to affect the whole country, the campaign "Stop the orders in the snow" was launched on behalf of motorcycle couriers.
The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu called out to the couriers and said, “If you are forced to work in unsuitable conditions, contact us, our legal commission will be at your side.”
Several precautions have been taken in Istanbul against the snowfall.
Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya announced on Jan. 23 that “due to heavy snowfall and icing in Istanbul, motorcycles and electric scooters will not be used until the next announcement to ensure traffic and life safety.”