
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) has completed its preparations for the expected snow. The drill coordinated by the Disaster Affairs Department (AKOM) tested the measures taken for adverse weather conditions. 11.916 personnel and 3.375 vehicles will be on duty in the fight against heavy snowfall and icing. Istanbul is ready for the snow with salt stocks, road maintenance work, shelter services for the homeless and public transportation measures.
As meteorological data indicated a cold and snowy period, IMM teams tested the vehicles with new systems yesterday with an AKOM-centered winter drill. IMM Secretary General Can Akın Çağlar, IMM Assistant Secretary General Arif Gürkan Alpay and Erdal Celal Aksoy, IMM Disaster Affairs Department Head Ergün Cebeci and snow-fighting teams participated in the drill. In the drill, which started with Çağlar's guidance, the vehicle tracking system, vehicle operator information, traffic and vehicle camera systems were tested, while the road closure and teams' intervention after a traffic accident, which was planned as required by the drill, were also carried out.
SNOW SHELLING AND SALTING TEAMS ARE READY FOR DUTY
Snow plow and salt teams serving on Istanbul’s 4.140-kilometer road network are on standby at 637 intervention points. 44 vehicles and construction equipment will also be working continuously on the Metrobus route. 1.551 vehicles and construction equipment will be on duty within the Road Maintenance and Infrastructure Coordination Department. 788 snow plow and salt spreader trucks will be active, while 60 trucks will be kept as spares. 280.000 tons of salt are ready in salt depots, and 19.000 tons of salt support was provided to districts. 377 boxes and bags of salt are kept for critical intersections and pedestrian points.
PREVENTION WITH EARLY WARNING SYSTEM AGAINST ICING
With the Ice Early Warning System (BEUS) installed at 60 points throughout Istanbul, the risk of ice on the roads will be detected immediately and teams will be mobilized. 48 towing and recovery vehicles will be kept ready against possible traffic accidents and stranded people. A plan was made to open barriers at 31 critical points to quickly open closed roads.
VILLAGE ROADS ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
In order to prevent village roads from being blocked, 170 tractors with ploughing equipment were given to the control of the muhtars.
WINTER SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS
IMM takes care of homeless citizens living on the streets during the cold winter days. A total of 11 people have been hosted since November 2024, 1.828. As of now, a total of 418 homeless citizens, 79 men and 497 women, are being hosted in IMM facilities. Homeless men are staying at the Esenyurt İSTAÇ Education Building, while homeless women are staying at the BAHAR Center Sports Hall in Tuzla. Housing services are also provided for homeless families at contracted hotels.
FOOD SUPPORT FOR STREET ANIMALS
Veterinary Services Directorate teams distribute 520 tons of nutritious dry food daily at 2 points per week for stray animals that have difficulty finding food.
MOBILE SUPPORT SERVICES AGAINST SNOWFALL
In case of heavy snowfall, mobile kiosks will be set up at critical points. Hot drinks, soup and water will be served to drivers waiting in hospital emergency rooms, piers and traffic on the roads. 6 mobile toilets will be available for citizens.
PRECAUTIONS IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION HAVE BEEN INCREASED
IETT, Metro Istanbul and City Lines will organize additional trips on days of heavy snowfall. IMM will inform citizens that public transportation is a safer alternative and will make continuous announcements about winter tire usage and weather warnings. Authorities stated that Istanbul is ready for winter and suggested that citizens should be careful when going out in traffic with their private vehicles and that public transportation should be preferred if possible.