(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
Authorities have warned that the snowfall, which began on
Wednesday in Istanbul, will be more intense over the weekend.
Repeated warnings to citizens and efforts to keep the roads clear
paid off on Thursday when the precipitation worsened. However, on
Friday, the city witnessed more traffic disruptions, with drivers
abandoning their cars and walking to work or taking mass transit in
some places, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah .
The snowfall, expected to continue sporadically until Monday,
accompanied by blizzards was stronger on the city's European side.
On Friday morning, it caused traffic jams on the TransEuropean
Motorway (TEM), while the traffic was considerably slow along the
E-5, another major highway straddling the city.
Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya had urged the motorists earlier
not to drive unless it was an emergency, calling on Istanbulites to
use mass transit instead. The governorate had earlier announced a
ban on trucks but scrapped it later. But on Friday, trucks were
allowed but it is expected that the ban might be reimposed
depending on the weather conditions. The governorate had also
banned all intercity buses from leaving the city, but the decision
was reversed later – though this may change according to the
weather conditions. Trains and flights remain the only option to
travel to and from the city for now, apart from private
vehicles.
Turkish Airlines (THY), the national flag carrier, canceled 213
flights to and from Istanbul and Sabiha Gokcen airports on Friday
due to adverse weather. Around 162 more flights from Istanbul
Airport and 18 others from Sabiha Gokcen airport for Saturday were
also canceled, according to media reports.
On Friday, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) announced that
the shopping malls in the city would open at 12 p.m. and close by 7
p.m. local time due to the weather conditions.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Adil Karaismailoglu
warned on Thursday evening that the situation would be“difficult”
for the city between Saturday night and Sunday morning but assured
measures are in place for smooth transportation in the city of more
than 15 million people. The minister, who was in Istanbul to
monitor the ministry's efforts to keep roads open, told reporters
that they have deployed crews, particularly on highways.
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