In the harsh winter season, the villages of Tanyolu and Adakent, along with Balık Gölü region in Taşlıçay, situated at an altitude of over 2200 meters, face difficulties in transportation due to adverse weather conditions. From December to April, residents who spend this period in the city center and surrounding provinces need assistance to return to their villages, and the Provincial Special Administration teams have been conducting intensive snow removal operations in the spring.
Using bulldozers and graders, the teams battled through meters of snow for 11 days, eventually clearing the road to the last village on the route, Adakent, allowing for transportation to resume. Following the completion of their efforts to clear the massive snowdrifts taller than the bulldozer itself, residents began returning to their villages with their vehicles.
One of the villagers, Ali Artan, emphasized the challenge of the winter season in the region, highlighting snow depths ranging from 5 to 15 meters. He mentioned their routine of staying in the village until autumn to take care of their animals, then heading to Iğdır during winter and returning to the village in summer. Artan expressed gratitude towards the government for opening the roads and noted the cold weather, cautioning that snow and rain are expected in May, adding that this year’s spring arrived late.
Mehmet Faruk Mengi, another local resident, shared his experience of bringing livestock to the village by truck. He was surprised by the unusually high amount of snow this year, compared to previous years, and expressed gratitude towards the teams for clearing the roads, acknowledging the contrasting weather conditions between Iğdır and Balık Gölü. Mengi thanked the Provincial Special Administration for their efforts in ensuring safe transport for the villagers.
With the villagers gradually returning to their homes, the challenges posed by the severe winter conditions in the Taşlıçay region come to the forefront. The determination and hard work of the Provincial Special Administration teams in overcoming the obstacles caused by heavy snowfall deserve recognition. The successful reopening of the roads to the isolated villages in Tanyolu and Adakent is a testament to the dedication of these teams in ensuring the welfare and safety of the residents during the challenging winter months.
As the inhabitants of Balık Gölü region make their way back to their villages, the impact of the extreme weather conditions on their daily lives becomes evident. The reliance on government assistance to navigate through the snow-covered roads underscores the importance of coordinated efforts in addressing the unique challenges faced by remote communities during the winter season. The resilience and perseverance shown by the villagers in adapting to these conditions reflect the spirit of unity and cooperation in overcoming natural obstacles. Through collaborative initiatives and ongoing support from relevant authorities, the residents of Tanyolu and Adakent demonstrate their ability to overcome adversity and continue their way of life despite the harsh winter environment.
