Istanbul, Bursa fast ferry services temporarily canceled due to severe storms

ISTANBUL

Istanbul’s Fast Ferry and Sea Bus Company (IDO) and Bursa’s Fast Ferry and Sea Bus Company (BUDO) have announced the temporary cancelation of all services on Jan. 18 due to severe weather.

Some ferries have begun services after two hours of suspension. 

On Jan. 17, the General Directorate of Meteorology warned severe storms were expected to hit Turkey and impact daily life starting later in the day.

The storms moving eastward and impacting all seas surrounding Turkey could bring about falling trees, flying roofs, interrupted transportation and natural gas poisoning from compromised stoves, the directorate warned.

The Disaster Coordination Center (AKOM) also made a specific warning for locals in Istanbul, saying winds are expected to turn into severe storms by the evening of Jan. 17, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

A sudden drop in temperatures of around 8 degrees Celsius is also expected in Istanbul on Jan. 18, AKOM warned.

Despite the drop in temperatures, Ahmet Kocaman of the Meteorology Directorate said snowfall is not predicted at this point.