Eastern Türkiye has been hit by severe winter conditions as temperatures plunged to record lows, with one district recording the coldest temperature in the country this season, according to official data.

The Gole district of Ardahan province registered a temperature of minus 39.7 degrees Celsius overnight, making it the coldest location in Türkiye, the Turkish State Meteorological Service reported. The extreme cold created hazardous conditions across several eastern provinces, freezing water bodies and significantly disrupting daily life.

Altinyayla district in Sivas province recorded the second-lowest temperature at minus 33.8 degrees Celsius, while Yavuzlar village, also in Gole district, followed closely at minus 33.2 degrees Celsius.

In Ardahan, the intense cold led to widespread ice formation and heavy frost. Windows of homes, vehicles, and businesses froze over, while roads turned dangerously icy, making transportation difficult. Ponds and streams across the city developed thick layers of ice as residents struggled to cope with the harsh conditions.

Erzurum province also experienced severe cold, with nighttime temperatures dropping to minus 23 degrees Celsius. Following recent snowfall, long icicles formed on building roofs, and frost covered windows throughout the city, further complicating daily activities.

To maintain accessibility, highway authorities, metropolitan municipality teams, and district municipal crews carried out snow clearance and ice control operations across major roads and residential areas.

In neighboring Kars province, nighttime temperatures fell to minus 28 degrees Celsius. Icicles formed on rooftops, while plants and trees were coated with frost. The cold was especially harsh in the Sarikamis district, where door locks froze shut and outdoor fountains turned completely to ice. Some residents wrapped their vehicles in blankets to protect engines from freezing, while shopkeepers used electric heaters to clear ice from shop windows.

Agri province continued to endure freezing conditions as snowfall covered streets and open areas. The Murat River, flowing through the city center, developed an ice-covered surface, while rivers and streams in the Taslicay district froze entirely.

While eastern Türkiye’s high-altitude regions are accustomed to harsh winters, officials noted that the severity of the current cold snap has created particularly challenging conditions for residents, transportation networks, and daily life across the region. (ILKHA)