FX.co ★ Unprecedented snowfall pounds Istanbul

A heavy snowstorm paralysed life in Istanbul on Saturday, causing havoc on roads as travellers sought to leave the city for the weekend.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled. Flag carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) cancelled some 610 flights from the main Ataturk International Airport as well as from Sabiha Gokcen airport, with the snow causing poor visibility and high winds.

Coastguards also ordered a halt to shipping traffic in both directions through the Bosphorus Strait -- one of the world's busiest sea thoroughfares. The municipal ferry company Sehir Hatlari which handles the regular passenger crossings between the European and Asian sides of the city announced that all its routes had been suspended for the day.

On Monday, January 9, Stambul caused havoc on roads because of the snowfall. The metro and tramways in Istanbul will meanwhile operate all night to compensate for the difficulties on the city's roads.

Schools were shut down.

The Istanbul mayor said 7,000 municipality workers were working round-the-clock to keep major city roads open for public. Around 1300 snow clearing vehicles were being used in this connection. Forecasters predicted that the snowstorm would continue until January 11.