Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Istanbul was hit on Thursday by one of the harshest weather events in years, with violent winds, intense rainfall and sharply dropping temperatures bringing daily life to a standstill across the city.
Weather officials reported wind speeds topping 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph), reaching level 11 on the Beaufort scale — a classification just below hurricane strength. Authorities warned conditions would deteriorate further as unseasonably mild, springlike weather quickly shifted to wintry cold.
The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) said the storm strengthened across the megacity, while temperatures that had hovered around 17–18 degrees Celsius earlier in the week were forecast to plunge by about 10 degrees by evening.
All ferry services were suspended due to dangerous sea conditions. Public operator Şehir Hatları canceled multiple routes, including trips to the Princes’ Islands from Maltepe, Bostancı, Beşiktaş and Kabataş, as well as Bosphorus crossings between Anadolu Hisarı and Eminönü. Bursa Sea Buses (BUDO) also halted services linking Mudanya, Armutlu and İhlas with Istanbul.
Gale-force winds uprooted trees in several districts, damaging cars and snarling traffic. In Bakırköy, a fallen tree crushed four parked vehicles along the coastal road, prompting temporary lane closures as crews cleared the area. In Bahçelievler, authorities said one person was injured after being trapped beneath a toppled tree.
Powerful waves slammed the Bosphorus shoreline, while loose structures became airborne hazards. In Esenler, strong winds tore off part of a building’s roof, which later struck a parked car.
The storm also impacted nearby provinces. Heavy rain caused flooding in Edirne, disrupted daily life in Izmir, and forced the suspension of maritime traffic through the Çanakkale Strait.
The Interior Ministry issued nationwide weather alerts, warning of strong winds, storms, heavy rainfall and hazardous sea conditions across the Marmara, Aegean, Black Sea, Central Anatolia and Mediterranean regions. Residents were urged to stay alert for transport disruptions, flooding, falling debris and maritime dangers, and to follow official advisories closely.
Jan. 10, 2026
12:59 p.m.
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