The Istanbul Governorship has postponed the Republic Day parade (kortej) that was due to pass along Vatan Caddesi on Thursday, 29 October, because of rain, NTV and Demirören News Agency (DHA) reported. Türkiye is marking the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic, a public holiday.
In a short statement, the governorship said the parade had been put off "to a later date due to rain". No new date was given in the reports. The governorship added that the city’s official Republic Day programme would still take place at 10:30 at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall.
Roads closed since early morning
Vatan Caddesi is officially named Adnan Menderes Boulevard. According to DHA, the governorship had closed the avenue to traffic in both directions from 05:45 on Thursday, together with its connecting roads, until the end of the programme.
The closed access points listed by DHA include the D-100 north and south entrances, 10. Yıl Caddesi, Edirnekapı, Ordu Caddesi, Atatürk Bulvarı and the southbound entrance from the Hal Yolu. Police deployed 111 personnel at 58 points, including traffic teams and three tow trucks, DHA said. Suggested alternative routes were Turgut Özal Millet Caddesi, Fevzipaşa Caddesi, Atatürk Bulvarı, the D-100 highway and the O-3 Hal Yolu.
The reports we read did not say whether the closures would be lifted early following the postponement. Separate closures were announced for the Asian side, as set out in our report on Üsküdar, Kadıköy and Ataşehir road closures.
Rain expected all day
NTV said the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM) had a yellow warning in place for 30 provinces, including Istanbul, with showers starting in the morning, heavy at times, and continuing until night. Orange warnings cover parts of Muğla, Antalya, Mersin and Adana, as detailed in our Republic Day weather warning report.
Antalya has already moved its Republic Day torch parade and concert to 30 October because of the weather. Public transport in Istanbul is free on Thursday under the holiday arrangements described in our Republic Day free transport story.
Sources
- İstanbul Valiliği duyurdu: Vatan Caddesi kortej geçişi ertelendi (NTV)
- Vatan Caddesi’ndeki 29 Ekim Kortej geçişi ertelendi (DHA via Son Dakika)
- İstanbul’da 29 Ekim kutlamaları nedeniyle Vatan Caddesi trafiğe kapatıldı (DHA via Son Dakika)
Photo: Khutuck / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
