Since November 23, Turkey has been hit by a wave of severe winter weather affecting large parts of the country.
The air temperature fell below seasonal norms, dropping sharply by 10-15 °C.
Snowfall blanketed the country, with mountain snow layers reaching 50 cm, while snow on the Düzce Plateau exceeded 1 meter.
The heavy snow paralyzed traffic on many roads, especially in the northern, central, and eastern regions.
Drivers stranded on highways waited for hours for rescue teams. Four hunters spent two days trapped in the snow before being rescued.
An elderly Turkish couple was miraculously saved after going missing during the intense snowstorm. Rescuers also freed 18 people caught in a mountain trap.
Officials reported that over 2,000 people were evacuated to safety.
Unfortunately, two fatalities were confirmed.
In 32 provinces, schools were closed due to blizzards.
The storm caused widespread power outages and the collapse of roofs under the weight of snow. Hundreds of sheep perished from the cold.
The severe winter weather followed days of heavy rain and strong winds. In the town of Ortaca, 149 mm of rain fell within 24 hours. Tornadoes in Antalya Province destroyed greenhouses.
In Istanbul, strong winds and rain uprooted trees and tore off roof sections, disrupting transportation and aviation services.
This sudden onset of harsh winter weather in November once again highlights the growing danger of unpredictable climate events. The atmosphere is becoming increasingly chaotic. Why is this happening, and how can we protect ourselves and our loved ones from such disasters? Find answers at the forum “Global Crisis. The Responsibility.”