Turkey hit by harsh winter, snowfall

ANKARA (AA) - Harsh winter conditions dominate many parts of Turkey, affecting daily life.

An old woman in eastern Bingol province was killed when an avalanche of snow fell over her from the roof of her house.

The roads to thousands of villages across Turkey were covered with snow. In Ovacik district of eastern Tunceli province, the height of snow reached three meters (10 feet).

Roads between Ankara-Izmir, Afyonkarahisar-Usak and Afyonkarahisar-Kutahya cities in western Turkey were blocked early Wednesday due to heavy snow.

These roads were opened later with snow plowers.

Aid agencies, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and Turkish Red Crescent, distributed hot soup and food packets to 500 people stranded on the roads in western Kutahya province.

Turkish Red Crescent teams also offered hot tea to those stuck in Kastamonu-Ankara road in northern Turkey.

Avalanches blocked the Tunceli-Erzincan and Tunceli-Ovacik roads. Some 301 people stranded on the road were rescued by security forces.

Primary, secondary and high schools in most districts of Eskisehir, Nevsehir, Kastamonu and Tokat provinces were closed on Wednesday due to harsh weather conditions.

* Muharrem Cin from Kutahya, Abdullah Celik from Bingol, Ozgur Alantor from Kastamonu, Canan Tukelay from Afyonkarahisar, Haydar Toprakci from Tunceli contributed to the report.