The Siberian cold wave that has been effective in Istanbul has negatively affected life with heavy snowfall. As a result of the three-day rainfall, snow thickness was measured as 1-3 cm in the city center and 5-15 cm in the high and northern regions. However, as of today, the rainfall is expected to lose its effect and temperatures are expected to be between 5-7 degrees in the coming days. In the last 12 hours, a total of 621 tons of salt and 35 tons of solution were used throughout Istanbul.
While different institutions take responsibility for combating winter conditions in Istanbul, a total of 4 km of road network is under the control of various units:
· IMM (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality): 4 thousand 140 km road network
· KGM (General Directorate of Highways): Main arteries and motorways
· ICA (Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and Northern Peripheral Motorway Operator)
· KMO (Eurasia Tunnel and Connection Roads Operator)
In order for life in the city to continue normally, IMM carried out snow removal and salting works with 11 personnel, 916 vehicles and construction machines.
AMOUNT OF SALT USED IN THE LAST 12 HOURS
Throughout the night, salting operations were carried out at many points, including roads, squares, metro entrances and bus stops.
· IMM Road Maintenance Teams: 519 tons of salt, 5 tons of solution
· General Directorate of Highways: 286 tons of salt, 5 tons of solution
· ICA (Northern Marmara Motorway): 476 tons of salt
KMO (Eurasia Tunnel and connecting roads): 340 tons of salt, 25 tons of solution used.
In total, thousands of tons of salt and solution were used to take precautions against icing.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LAST 24 HOURS
As a result of the collapse of the retaining wall in Beşiktaş Gayrettepe Neighborhood, 8 vehicles were damaged, but no one was killed. In the chain accident that occurred on the Ataşehir O-4 Anatolian Highway, 1 person died and 3 people were injured.
SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS AND STREET ANIMALS CONTINUES
While IMM hosted 613 homeless citizens affected by the winter conditions in its facilities, it provided support to a total of 948 homeless people this winter. In addition, 520 tons of food are distributed daily at 2 points per week for stray animals that have difficulty finding food.
While intensive work is being carried out to combat the snow, temperatures in Istanbul are expected to be at seasonal norms in the coming days. When a new snowfall and adverse weather possibility emerges, the IMM Disaster Affairs Department AKOM will be on alert again.
