21.02.2025 11:02
Last night, as the effective snowfall covered Istanbul with a white blanket, experts warned that the snowfall would turn into a blizzard in the afternoon, increasing its intensity. While comments were made that the precipitation would "shift into high gear" in the evening and nighttime hours, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu advised, "We recommend that you set out cautiously, and if possible, avoid going out, and use our public transportation vehicles."
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After the warnings from the General Directorate of Meteorology and AKOM that have been ongoing for days, the snowfall that intensified last night covered Istanbul with a white blanket.
"IT WILL TURN INTO A BLIZZARD IN THE AFTERNOON" Experts warn that the snowfall will turn into a blizzard in the afternoon, increasing its intensity, while it is stated that it will reach "top gear" in the evening and night hours.
REPEATED WARNINGS FROM İMAMOĞLU İBB President Ekrem İmamoğlu informed Istanbul residents preparing for a snowy weekend about combating winter conditions in the early hours of the morning from AKOM. İmamoğlu, who shared that there are no closed roads in Istanbul thanks to the maximum level of cooperation shown by citizens and the efforts of all public institutions, said, "Saturday night, that is, the night connecting today to tomorrow, is predicted to be the night with the harshest cold. Therefore, icing is expected, as well as heavy snowfall starting tomorrow morning. In this context, we advise you to be cautious when going out and to use public transportation as much as possible," he said.
The Union of Turkish Municipalities (TBB) and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu informed Istanbul residents preparing for a snowy weekend about combating winter conditions in the early hours of the morning from AKOM. İmamoğlu, who started his remarks by saying, "I thank our citizens for the maximum level of cooperation they have shown in Istanbul," continued: "We see that our people prefer public transportation over vehicles in a significant way. This is very encouraging for us. As I mentioned yesterday, in such moments, the effectiveness of the teams and units' actions based on instructions from here is limited if the community does not comply. The essential thing is the cooperation our citizens will demonstrate with us. In this context, we managed the processes with a very synchronized understanding that supports each other and aims for maximum efficiency in such moments. Therefore, I would like to express my happiness again. The level of cooperation from our citizens is best reflected in Istanbul's traffic density. Today, we are experiencing a Friday morning at around 20% levels. Our friends are currently working effectively in the field.
"OUR CITIZENS SHOULD NOT DROP THEIR CAUTION AND PRECAUTIONS" As we mentioned yesterday, we had actually described a very effective Friday and Saturday axis. Here, especially the snow that we thought would start early on Friday morning met Istanbul a little earlier. Right now, a more stable time period is being experienced. However, the meteorology experts here, especially regarding the snowfall, predict that it will continue until around noon on Saturday - as we specifically stated that Friday and Saturday were expected to be effective. Therefore, we desire our citizens not to drop their caution and precautions. In this context, we have also increased our measures. We have increased our personnel from 11,916 to 13,115. We have also increased our vehicles and machinery from 3,375 to 3,582. We continue with 53 cranes and rescue vehicles.
"WE INCREASED METROBÜS SERVICES" Meanwhile, especially with the decisions we made yesterday, snow plowing, salting, and intervention works continue, and I can also express that we have significantly strengthened our various services in Istanbul. Winter services for the homeless continue. The number of people we hosted in our facilities and contracted hotels, which was 493 yesterday, has increased to 662. Our support for street animals has increased to 3 tons. In addition, regarding potential grievances that may arise, especially for street animals, when our citizens call Alo 153, specifying the location, our friends are working equipped to reach the areas quickly, within a maximum of half an hour. Our food distribution has taken place at 13 points. We provided 12,500 food packages and contributed to the needs of our citizens, such as tea and soup. Our mobile toilet services have been provided. Especially in public transportation, IETT increased by 6%, and metrobüs increased by 4%, continuing their services; so that more of our citizens do not experience grievances in their public transportation preferences.
"PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SHOULD BE PREFERRED" Finally, let me say this. It is predicted that there will be snowfall again in the afternoon today with the increase in wind. Also, Saturday night, that is, the night connecting today to tomorrow, is predicted to be the night with the harshest cold. Therefore, icing is expected, as well as heavy snowfall starting tomorrow morning. In this context, we advise you to be cautious when going out and to use public transportation as much as possible. Have a nice Friday.
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