A powerful storm hit Istanbul on Jan. 8, bringing strong winds, towering waves and widespread disruption to sea transport, while also affecting several other provinces across western Türkiye. Following warnings from the Turkish State Meteorological Service, gale-force winds began sweeping through Istanbul in the morning hours, intensifying over the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea. In Beşiktaş, large waves slammed into the shoreline, creating hazardous conditions along the coast. Maritime operation