IMM teams are on alert against the Icelandic winter, which is expected to be effective in Istanbul as of this evening. A series of measures have been taken to prevent the snowfall, which is expected to last until the middle of next week, from negatively affecting life. The teams will work 4 hours a day to keep the 23 thousand 24 kilometers long road network of Istanbul under the responsibility of IMM open. If necessary, support will be provided for the side streets under the responsibility of the district municipalities.
7 THOUSAND 421 STAFF, 1.582 VEHICLES ON DUTY 7/24
A total of 7 personnel, 421 snow-fighting vehicles and construction equipment will be on duty to keep the main streets and squares open in Istanbul. A total of 1.582 tons of salt and a total of 350 tons of solution in 206 different tanks are kept ready for snow fighting at stations installed at 56 different points of the city.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION WILL PROVIDE UNINTERRUPTED SERVICE
It is evaluated that icing and frost events may occur in most of Istanbul. In case of heavy snowfall, citizens are advised to use public transportation instead of private vehicles. IETT buses, rail systems and ferries will continue to operate throughout Istanbul without interruption. Additional flights will be placed on demanded lines. Salting works will be carried out at the entrances of the tram lines and at the metro stations located in the open area. There are snow shovels for snow removal and shoveling at all stations of open rail systems. In order to prevent the catenary (electricity supply) systems on the trams from freezing, precautionary flights are carried out at night without passengers. Cancellations that may occur in sea transportation due to adverse weather conditions will be announced immediately on social media accounts.
33 CONSTRUCTION MACHINES WILL BE WORKING ON THE METROBUS LINE
Construction machinery along the Metrobus route will be ready to respond to any negativities that may arise. Metrobus line and garages; 27 snow plows, 6 solutions, 6 tow trucks, 4 rescue crane vehicles and 122 personnel will be on duty. While 142 tractors with buckets will be assigned to keep the village roads open, 11 cranes and rescuers will be on duty.
ALO 153 WILL RESPONSE INSTANTLY TO NOTIFICATIONS 7/24
İBB Alo 153 Solution Center will closely follow the demands of citizens on the phone and on the computer. Notices to be conveyed to ALO 153 by Istanbul residents will be immediately transferred to the relevant unit. Disruptions in the intermediate arteries, pavements and roads will be reported to the district municipalities.
SPECIAL PRECAUTION TO TRAFFIC LIGHTS
IMM teams will be on the field all day for signal maintenance and repair with 42 vehicles in order to prevent possible disruptions in traffic. Under the command of the Public Transportation Control Management Center (TÜHİM), the interior and exterior cameras of the vehicles will be monitored live so that transportation in minibuses, taxis and sea taxis is not disrupted.
MOBILE BUFFETS WILL BE AVAILABLE WHERE NEEDED
Due to the expected heavy snowfall, 10 mobile kiosks will be ready to distribute tea, soup and food on the field, despite the possible negativities.
TOWER SUPPORT FROM THE OFFICER
IMM Police Teams will be on the field with 800 personnel during cold weather. In order to intervene immediately in possible negativities, the squares will be monitored with cameras from the Constabulary Command Center throughout the day.
12 towing vehicles in order not to disrupt the general traffic flow: Beylikdüzü, Küçükçekmece, Şirinevler, Merter, Mahmutbey, Haliç, 1.Köprü, Vatan Cad. In the regions of Bostancı, Çamlıca, Pendik and Kavacık, 24-hour uninterrupted service will be provided. In addition to the measures taken, construction equipment will be ready for buildings that need to be demolished urgently due to adverse weather conditions.
IMM OPENED ITS GUESTHOUSES TO THE HOMELESS
İBB has also completed its preparations for those living on the streets in freezing temperatures. A care center with a capacity of 300 people in Esenyurt will serve for men, and a guest house in Kayışdağı with a capacity of 100 people will serve for women. Clothing, hygiene and medicine support will be provided in these centers. In addition, after the health screening, homeless people who test positive for COVID will be placed in isolation in designated areas. These studies will be carried out by the IMM Health Department.
Taking into account the citizen’s notices from the ALO 153 Solution Center, IMM Police teams will also be on the field for the homeless. 116 separate teams consisting of a total of 29 personnel were formed for the transfer of those staying on the streets to the shelter centers in squares, main arteries, underpasses, metrobus overpasses and their vicinity.
APPROXIMATELY 2 TONS OF FOOD DAILY TO OUR BEST FRIENDS
IMM Veterinary Services will continue to work for our lives on the street without interruption on cold days. Notifications of sick and injured animals to Hello 153 will continue to be received for 24 hours. As part of the night work in the two designated nursing homes, 21 personnel, 4 vehicles and stray animals will be examined, treated and cared for. Food support will be provided to stray animals with approximately 500 tons of food per day at 2 points throughout the province.
İGDAŞ TEAMS ARE ALSO READY
İGDAŞ took its precautions against adverse weather conditions. İGDAŞ teams will be on duty 16/7 to provide safe and sustainable natural gas service to 24 million Istanbul residents. İGDAŞ response vehicles will operate in the field without interruption. Unexpected situations will be dealt with immediately.
