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Strong winds and storms sweeping across Istanbul triggered 198 emergency calls, forced the cancellation of several ferry and sea bus services, and led to the temporary closure of parks and cable car lines, the Istanbul Governor's Office announced Saturday.
Emergency services responded to all 198 reports involving damaged roofs, fallen trees and hazardous debris between Nov. 13 and the early hours of Nov. 14.
Türkiye's General Directorate of Meteorology had issued a yellow weather warning, indicating potentially hazardous conditions, as strong winds and storms were expected to continue affecting the city throughout Saturday.
Authorities temporarily closed nine parks and wooded recreational areas because of the risk of falling branches and trees, although these locations have since reopened.
However, Hidiv Pavilion and Beykoz Grove remain closed until the next meteorological assessment.
Operations on the Macka-Taskisla and Eyup-Pierre Loti cable car lines were also suspended on Nov. 13 because of the severe weather.
The Governor's Office said emergency response teams, district administrations and relevant institutions had been alerted, with equipment, vehicles and personnel prepared to deal with possible disruptions.
The storm also disrupted Istanbul's maritime transport network, with municipal ferry operator Sehir Hatlari canceling services on several routes across the Bosphorus and to the Princes' Islands.
Affected routes included Kadikoy-Karakoy, Kadikoy-Kabatas, Kadikoy-Besiktas, Besiktas-Princes' Islands, Maltepe-Princes' Islands and several other connections serving both sides of the city.
Some services were rerouted rather than canceled. Ferries normally operating between Besiktas and the Golden Horn were redirected through Kabatas, while several Bosphorus routes temporarily stopped calling at Besiktas.
Services connecting Asiyan with Uskudar and the Anatolian side were also redirected through Bebek until further notice.
Intercity sea bus services operated on routes linking Istanbul with Bursa, Yalova, Bandirma and other destinations across the Sea of Marmara faced cancellations on Nov. 13 and 14.
Despite disruptions to maritime transport, scheduled flights at Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport continued operating normally, according to the Governor's Office.
Authorities urged residents and visitors to remain cautious during periods of strong winds and follow official weather warnings.
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