Heavy snowfall began to fall over Istanbul on Monday afternoon after moving in from the country's northwestern Thrace region on the way.

Istanbul, the most populated city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, was covered in white.

The snowfall and cold weather conditions disrupted the land and sea traffic and paralyzed daily life in many districts of the city.

All flights to and from Istanbul Airport were temporarily halted until 6 p.m. local time. due to heavy snowfall in the city.

Istanbul governor Ali Yerlikaya ordered public institutions and organizations to end their shifts at 15:30 o’clock, taking into account transport disruptions due to heavy snowfall.

“Snow depth in the high and rural areas of the city has been close to up to 25 centimeters,” the Metropolitan Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) said in a statement.

“Severe cold wave in Istanbul will continue throughout the week,” the statement noted.

According to the county’s meteorological agency, the snowfall could last for four days with a severe drop in temperatures. (ILKHA)

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