This year, Istanbul experienced a record-breaking March snowfall, the likes of which hadn't been seen in the last 30 years. Starting on the afternoon of Saturday, March 12, the snowfall grew in intensity as the day turned into evening. In some districts, up to 7 kg of snow fell per square meter, and even the least affected areas saw 3 kg per square meter. ISFALT teams were a constant presence, providing round-the-clock support with a fleet of 462 vehicles and 898 personnel.

The anticipated heavy snowfall hit Istanbul on March 12th. Prior to this, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality had put comprehensive measures in place to manage the Snowfall Countermeasures Operations. With a dedicated team of 9,500 personnel and 2,000 vehicles, the IMM effectively managed the situation. ISFALT also offered unwavering support, with a fleet of 426 vehicles and 898 personnel at the ready.

IMM Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu managed the entire operation from AKOM and informed the public on Saturday, March 12 that "Today, we will experience the most intense snowfall of this entire period of alarm." He advised citizens to avoid using vehicles unless absolutely necessary, also sharing that snow depths were expected to reach between 30 to 50 centimeters in some areas of the city.

IMM teams were well prepared to tackle any potential issues arising from the snowfall. With heavy snowfall lasting from Saturday afternoon until midnight, their swift and effective response was crucial.

Citywide cameras installed at AKOM allowed for real-time problem detection, which enabled prompt direction of field teams. This proactive approach successfully prevented minor issues from escalating into major problems, ensuring smooth operations on all road networks under IMM's responsibility.

Throughout the snowfall, the teams carried out ceaseless snow clearance and salting operations on the roads, bus stops, overpasses, squares, and other public spaces like hospitals, markets, and bus stations.

A total of 82,495 Tons of Salt Used in a Span of 4 Days

Over the four days from March 9-12, a total of 82,495 tons of salt and 1,030 tons of solution were used by the IMM Road Maintenance and İSFALT teams. A further 11,215 tons of salt were distributed to municipal and district councils for use as needed. IMM currently maintains a stock of 155,000 tons of salt and 1,290 tons of solution, ensuring preparedness for any future needs.

Details of the IMM Winter Operations Intervention Capacity:

Responsible Road Network: 4,023 km
Personnel: 9,500
Vehicles and Machinery: 2,000
Salt Stockpile: 128,735 tons (as of March 13, 2022)
Boxed Salt (for critical locations): 350 boxes
Solution Situation: 64 tanks (with a total capacity of 1,290 tons, and hourly production of 25 tons)
Tractors (for use on rural roads): 153
Rescue Cranes and Tow Trucks: 27 (15 rescue cranes, 12 tow trucks)
Metrobus Route (Total Scanned): 187 km (covered by 33 machines)
Early Warning System for Icing: 60 stations March 14, 2022
Responsible Road Network: 4,023 km
Personnel: 9,500
Vehicles and Machinery: 2,000
Salt Stockpile: 128,735 tons (as of March 13, 2022)
Boxed Salt (for critical locations): 350 boxes
Solution Situation: 64 tanks (with a total capacity of 1,290 tons, and hourly production of 25 tons)
Tractors (for use on rural roads): 153
Rescue Cranes and Tow Trucks: 27 (15 rescue cranes, 12 tow trucks)
Metrobus Route (Total Scanned): 187 km (covered by 33 machines)
Early Warning System for Icing: 60 stations March 14, 2022