Snow makes a comeback in Istanbul, schools closed for one day

As snow makes a comeback in Istanbul on March 18, authorities have announced a series of measures, including the closure of schools for one day.

Friday March 18 2022 11:43 am

Duvar English

As a new wave of heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Gov. Ali Yerlikaya announced that schools in the megacity were closed for one day on March 18.

Gov. Yerlikaya also announced that disabled and pregnant personnel working in public institutions were put on administrative leave for the day.

Bugün,Karla Mücadele Değerlendirme ve Hazırlık Toplantımızda,Meteoroloji Bölge Müdürlüğümüzden ilimizdeki 3 günlük hava tahminini aldık.

⏰20.30’daki son meteorolojik verilere göre #İstanbul’da beklenen kar yağışı ve olumsuz hava koşullarına karşı aldığımız idari tedbirler:
👇🏻👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/5uCD5WWo1F
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) March 17, 2022

The Meteorological General Directorate said that it expects the new wave of snowfall to last until the end of weekend.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, canceled 100 flights scheduled for March 19.

“Due to the bad weather conditions, 100 flights scheduled for March 19 to and from Istanbul were canceled, including 80 flights at Istanbul Airport and 20 at Sabiha (Gökçen) Airport,” the airlines said in a statement.

Separately, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu urged citizens to use public transportation and not go out with their car if it is not necessary.

İmamoğlu said that there has not been a month of March with so much rain and so much snow for many years in Istanbul, and that the municipality is ready with more than 2,000 equipment and more than 9,500 employees.