A late winter storm has blanketed much of Türkiye in heavy snow, causing widespread disruptions, particularly in Istanbul and the Eastern Anatolia region.

The severe weather, which began on February 20th, has led to school closures, transportation chaos, and road blockages, leaving residents grappling with the unexpected return of winter.

In Istanbul, the governor's office extended the school holiday to February 21st and granted administrative leave to vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and those with disabilities.  The city experienced heavy traffic and public transportation overcrowding.  Motorcycles and motorcycle couriers have been banned from the roads starting February 21st until further notice. 

Ship traffic in the Bosphorus has been temporarily suspended due to fog, and numerous ferry services, including those to Gökçeada and Bozcaada, as well as Istanbul and Bursa Sea Buses, have been canceled.  Flights at Istanbul and Sabiha Gökçen airports have been reduced by 10 to 30 percent.

The situation is even more severe in Eastern Anatolia, where 2,921 village roads have been closed.  Ağrı, Erzurum, Erzincan, Muş, Ardahan, Kars, Iğdır, and Tunceli provinces have all been heavily impacted, with snow accumulation reaching over 1.5 meters in some areas.  Residents in Ağrı have been seen clearing snow from their homes and businesses, expressing surprise at the sudden return of winter after anticipating spring.

Elsewhere in the country, 12 village roads in Bartın and 52 in Gümüşhane are also closed.  A dramatic rescue took place on the Tunceli-Erzincan highway, where drivers were stranded on the Cankurtaran pass.  Emergency services rescued the stranded travelers and towed their vehicles to safety.

Authorities are working around the clock to clear the snow and reopen roads, but no timeline has been given for when normal transportation will resume. The widespread disruptions highlight the severity of the late winter storm across Türkiye. (ILKHA)