Downpour paralyzes traffic in Istanbul: Density reaches 81 percent
The rain, which has been effective since the night hours, caused a traffic nightmare on the first workday of the week in Istanbul. While disruptions occurred in land and sea transportation, traffic density reached up to 90 percent in some regions.
AA
The rainfall, which has been effective since the night, negatively affected transportation in Istanbul during the morning hours. Vehicles struggled to move, especially in some regions and on main arteries.
On the Anatolian side, serious traffic density was observed on the D-100 highway in the direction of Edirne between Kartal and Göztepe, while in the opposite direction, there was congestion starting from the Uzunçayır Junction and continuing to Maltepe.
On the TEM Highway, density formed from Sultanbeyli to Ataşehir in the direction of Edirne. In the direction of Ankara, vehicles could only move step-by-step before the Çamlıca Toll Booths.
Similar scenes prevailed in crossings to the European side. Traffic slowed down from Uzunçayır towards the 15 July Martyrs Bridge. In the direction of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, vehicle density starting from Kozyatağı drew attention. Traffic was also quite heavy on the Eurasia Tunnel route starting from Acıbadem.
On the European side, drivers experienced difficult moments on the D-100 highway in the direction of Ankara in Beylikdüzü, Avcılar, Bakırköy, Zeytinburnu, Topkapı, Okmeydanı, Çağlayan, and Zincirlikuyu.
While congestion was observed on the TEM Highway between Esenyurt and the Mahmutbey Toll Booths in the direction of Ankara, heavy traffic also formed on the Gaziosmanpaşa-Kağıthane line of the TEM, along with both directions of the Basın Ekspres Road.
The downpour, which increased in intensity during the morning hours, also left citizens who were outside in a difficult situation. Many people took shelter in pedestrian crossings and under bridges to protect themselves from the sudden rain. Citizens waiting at bus stops made an effort not to get wet.
There was also density in public transportation. Passengers had to wait in long queues at Metrobus and metro stations.
According to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Traffic Density Map, the density across the city reached 81% in the morning hours. This rate was recorded as 74% on the European side and 90% on the Anatolian side.
Adverse weather conditions affected not only land transportation but also sea voyages. In a statement made by City Lines, it was stated, "Due to unfavorable weather conditions, our Bostancı-Moda-Karaköy-Kabataş line voyages will not be performed until a second announcement."