A severe storm unleashed chaos across Istanbul and several western provinces of Turkiye on Thursday, bringing gale-force winds, massive waves, and widespread disruption to sea and air transport. Social media was flooded with dramatic visuals of the extreme weather event.
Viral Videos Capture Storm's Fury
One particularly alarming video that went viral showed a Pegasus Airlines flight struggling to land at Istanbul Airport. The aircraft could be seen buffeted by violent winds, losing balance and failing to align with the runway, which forced the pilot to execute a go-around and abort the landing attempt.
Another widely shared clip depicted the intense lodos (southwesterly) winds rocking boats violently in the harbours and churning the sea into a frothy, dangerous state. The Turkish State Meteorological Service had issued prior warnings, and as predicted, the fierce winds began sweeping through Istanbul in the morning, intensifying over the strategic Bosphorus Strait and the Marmara Sea.
Widespread Transport Disruption and Damage
The storm's impact was immediate and severe on maritime operations. Besiktas–Kadikoy passenger boat services were suspended, and several ferry lines announced multiple cancellations as treacherous conditions made navigation impossible. In the coastal district of Besiktas, large waves smashed into the shoreline, creating hazardous conditions.
On land, the high winds caused significant damage. In Bakirkoy, a fallen tree landed on four vehicles along the coastal road, leading to a temporary lane closure. A similar incident in Bahcelievler resulted in a pedestrian sustaining minor injuries after being hit by a toppling tree. Official data confirmed wind speeds surpassed 70 kilometres per hour in several districts.
Storm Impact Beyond Istanbul
The severe weather system extended its reach across the broader Marmara and Aegean regions. In the northwestern province of Canakkale, strong winds forced the temporary suspension of transit ship traffic through the vital Dardanelles Strait, and local ferry services were cancelled. The neighbouring province of Edirne experienced localised flooding due to heavy rainfall.
On the Aegean coast, fishermen in Izmir remained in port, using the time for maintenance work as they waited for the rough seas to calm. The storm even reached the Black Sea coast, where severe winds in Samsun province caused trees to fall and block roads.
The event underscores the vulnerability of major transport hubs to sudden extreme weather and highlights the widespread disruption such storms can cause across multiple regions simultaneously.
