A severe snowstorm has caused 24 school closures across 24 Turkish provinces with governors announcing the precaution on Tuesday as weather conditions became dangerous according to Turkish outlet “Duvar.”
The snowstorm, which has affected much of Türkiye, has resulted in significant disruptions in several regions, particularly in the northern, central, and eastern parts of the country.
Snow and blizzards have forced road closures, with life in rural areas grinding to a halt. Tragically, two people lost their lives in Mersin and Malatya provinces, while many others were trapped while herding. In Karaman province, 350 sheep and two donkeys froze to death due to the extreme cold.
Rescue operations were launched as snow storms intensified, with several individuals stranded in rural and mountainous areas.
On the Black Sea Coast, in Ordu, four people who were out hunting were rescued after being trapped in the snow for two days. The Malatya Governor’s Office reported that 787 people who had been stranded were accommodated in guesthouses after being rescued from the roads.
Also in the Black Sea region, in Giresun, five people were saved after being trapped in their vehicles, and in Bolu, 18 people were rescued from the highlands.
In a heartwarming story, a woman in Kayseri who went into labor while stranded due to the blizzard was helped by military personnel, giving birth in a military vehicle on her way to the hospital.
The Turkish State Meteorological Service issued a yellow alert on Tuesday for several provinces in central Türkiye, warning of ongoing hazardous weather conditions.