Schools closed across dozens of Turkish cities amid severe winter conditions

Educational institutions have been closed in 54 cities across Türkiye due to unstable weather conditions, local authorities said, as severe winter storms disrupted daily life in several regions.

Authorities also ordered school closures on January 2 in multiple districts of the provinces of Osmaniye, Sakarya, Kocaeli and Konya. In Istanbul, schools were closed in the districts of Şişli, Sarıyer and Beykoz, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media. 

Heavy snowfall has caused widespread disruption across the country, prompting avalanche warnings in several provinces, including Diyarbakir and Kastamonu.

In the northeastern province of Artvin, six shepherds were caught in an avalanche, authorities said. Three were rescued, two were confirmed dead, and the search for a sixth person was suspended due to worsening weather conditions.

Officials have warned that severe weather is expected to continue in parts of the country and urged residents to exercise caution.

By Sabina Mammadli