Heavy storms hit Turkey, Bosporus closed
Heavy snowfall catches Turkish travelers unaware.
Snowstorms, heavy rains, and extreme weather conditions affected large parts of Turkey on Saturday, causing traffic jams and flooding a number of houses.
Heavy snowfall in the north has blocked road access to more than 550 villages, while temperatures have plummeted to -15 Centigrade. Municipality workers have been striving to keep the roads open despite the continuing snowfall, which is expected to last until next week.
Reports said that the freezing weather has claimed the lives of two people.
In addition, heavy rains have flooded at least 30 houses in the southwest of the country.
However, emergency teams dispatched to the affected areas have rescued hundreds of citizens trapped in their homes, the Anatolia news agency reported late on Saturday.
Over 30 ships trying to pass through the Bosporus Strait anchored due to winds blowing up to 90 kilometers per hour.
The Bosporus, which connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, is temporarily closed for maritime traffic.
Meanwhile, in Istanbul, 253 homeless people were brought to shelters.
FTP/HGL
