Downpour makes its impact felt in Istanbul
Traffic congestion increased in Istanbul during the evening hours, exacerbated by the heavy rainfall. Crowds were observed at tram, metro, bus, and metrobus stops during the evening commute.
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On the city's Anatolian side, heavy vehicle traffic is observed in both directions on the D-100 highway between Kartal and Kadıköy. Vehicles are struggling to move between Sancaktepe and Ataşehir on the TEM highway, and between Altunizade and Ümraniye on the Şile highway.
HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE ANATOLIAN SIDE
Traffic congestion for those crossing from the Anatolian side to the European side via the 15 July Martyrs Bridge begins at Ünalan. In the opposite direction, traffic congestion starting from Çağlayan returns to normal on the bridge and increases again in Ataşehir.
On the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, traffic congestion for crossings to the European side begins at the Ümraniye junction. On the European side, traffic on the D-100 highway has come to a near standstill in both directions between Büyükçekmece and Zincirlikuyu. Vehicles are struggling to move between Maslak and Hasdal.
Vehicle congestion is observed in both directions between the D-100 highway Haramidere junction, Hadımköy, and the TEM highway. Two-way traffic congestion continues between the TEM highway and the Metris junction.
Traffic is moving slowly in both directions on Basın Ekspres Road. Two-way traffic congestion is being experienced on the coastal roads between Alibeyköy and Eminönü, and between Karaköy and Ortaköy. Traffic is struggling to move on the side roads between Beylikdüzü and Avcılar, and between Küçükçekmece and Avcılar on the D-100 highway.
According to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Traffic Density Map, traffic density reached 83 percent on the European side and 90 percent on the Anatolian side. With the rain intensifying in the evening, this density was measured at an average of 87 percent across the city.
CONGESTION IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
As the evening shift ended, those trying to get home caused congestion at tram, metro, bus, and metrobus stops.
Congestion was observed in Zincirlikuyu, Cevizlibağ, and Zeytinburnu, where some metrobus, IETT, and tram transfer stations are located. Those trying to reach the metrobus, metro, or bus stops from the turnstile areas had a difficult time due to the rain. Water accumulated on the roads also caused difficulties for drivers.
Some citizens trying to protect themselves from the rain were forced to take shelter under overpasses.