Istanbul gets wrapped up this winter

Extreme winter conditions continue to take a toll on daily life in Istanbul today, resulting in the cancelation of flights, disruption of transport and shutdown of schools.

As Istanbul governor’s office released on its website, due to snowfall, the shifts in public institutions will end at 12:30GMT to reduce traffic volumes in the city.

The governor’s office later announced that schools will also be closed today due to heavy snow and ice on side streets.

In a post on his official Twitter account, Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Eksi said Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport has been closed for domestic flights until 21:00GMT.

Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport, in Istanbul’s Asian part, was also closed due to heavy snowfall, according to airport authorities.

The authorities told the Anadolu Agency that the landing fields were covered with snow, adding that planes had been directed to other airports.

In a statement earlier, Turkish Airlines said 281 domestic and international flights were cancelled as a result of the snow today.

The General Directorate of Coastal Safety said ships had been halted from entering the Bosphorus because of limited visibility.

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) also announced on its website that all domestic ferry services have been suspended until further notice.

Turkey’s General Directorate of Meteorology stated that snowfall, which is still continuing across Istanbul, will increase its effect from noon until night Monday, with snow piling up to reach 122 centimetres in certain areas of the city.

Schools in Istanbul were shut on Monday while some universities postponed exams.

Since the beginning of snowfall on Friday, some 7,000 municipality workers have come together to clear the roads of snow and fallen trees as a result of the adverse weather conditions.

Some 834 homeless people have also been given shelter during, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas told reporters.

Four men cross over the railway tracks on a metrobus station as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

A man is waiting for bus as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

People walk on a snow covered road as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

Two men walk past a wall with graffiti as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

A man with an umbrella crossing over the road as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

People walk snow covered Galata Bridge as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

People walk snow covered Galata Bridge as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

Cars try to make their way on Galata Bridge as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

Cars try to make their way on Galata Bridge as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

People are waiting for buses as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.

Peddlers are getting warmer with fire as heavy snowfall hits Istanbul, Turkey on January 9, 2017.