A few days before the arrival of the New Year, a severe cold and snow storm has swept across large parts of Turkey, causing the suspension of classes and the closure of schools in many provinces and districts of the country. Education authorities have ordered the closure of schools for at least one day in the face of severe mobility and transport difficulties caused by heavy snowfall, icy roads and plummeting temperatures.
According to statements issued by provincial governors and reported by many Turkish media, at least 24 provinces are affected, including major towns in the Black Sea region in provinces such as Zonguldak, Bolu and Karabük, but also cities in eastern Turkey such as Van and Muş, as well as in south-eastern Anatolia, including the province of Mardin, while other provinces such as Gaziantep or Şanlıurfa have opted for partial suspensions depending on the local weather situation.
In addition to the closure of educational establishments, administrative leave has been granted in several provinces to public employees, including pregnant women and people with disabilities or young children in their care.
The severe winter episode has also had a severe impact on transport infrastructure and road communications. At the Bolu mountain pass, one of the main communication hubs between Istanbul and Ankara (where temperatures have dropped to -5°C at night), the Turkish authorities have had to ban the passage of trucks and heavy vehicles after more than 40 centimetres of snow accumulated.
Meteorologists’ warning: the worst of the storm is yet to come
The high mountain regions of southeastern Turkey also remain under an avalanche warning, and in the western Black Sea region new snowfalls are expected that could leave up to 20 centimetres of additional snow in the coming hours. Meanwhile, meteorologists warn that the worst of the storm is yet to come.
In some areas, such as Mount Uludağ, a popular winter tourist destination in Bursa province, the snow has nevertheless been very welcome for those who come to enjoy skiing.
According to information compiled from data published in Turkish media, the provisional list of provinces where education has been suspended due to adverse weather conditions is as follows:
Eastern and south-eastern regions of Turkey:
- Elazığ
- Şanlıurfa
- Mardin
- Muş
- Bitlis
- Van
- Şırnak
- Hakkari
- Ağrı
- Diyarbakır
- Siirt
Central Anatolia region:
- Aksaray
- Kırşehir
- Çankırı
- Yozgat
- Tokat
Black Sea Region:
- Bilecik
- Düzce
- Bolu
- Bartın
- Karabük
- Kastamonu
- Zonguldak
- Sinop
Authorities have indicated that the school closures in Turkey have initially been decreed for one day only, although extensions are not ruled out depending on the evolution of the winter weather. In several provinces, school closures due to snowfall are limited only to the districts most affected by snow or to school transport education, mainly in rural areas.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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