Heavy Snowfall Strands Nearly 70 Vehicles on Wan-Agirê Road in Northern Kurdistan

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Heavy snowfall disrupted traffic on a major road linking Wan (Van) and Agirê (Ağrı) provinces in Northern Kurdistan (southeast of Türkiye) on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, leaving nearly 70 vehicles stranded before road-clearing and rescue teams assisted drivers.

According to Turkish media reports, the disruption occurred on the route between Çaldıran district in Wan province and Doğubayazıt district in Agirê province, where accumulating snow made travel difficult and brought vehicles to a standstill.

Eyewitnesses estimated that almost 70 vehicles were caught in the disruption. Teams were deployed to clear snow from the road and help motorists continue their journeys.

The reported vehicle total was based on eyewitness accounts rather than a separately announced official count.

The reports said stranded drivers were rescued after efforts to reopen the route. They did not provide a detailed account of how long traffic was interrupted or specify whether any injuries occurred.

The Çaldıran-Doğubayazıt road is an important connection between the two provinces, crossing mountainous terrain where winter conditions can make driving particularly challenging.

Following the snowfall, authorities urged motorists using the route to remain alert to rapidly changing weather, including sudden snow showers, and to keep appropriate winter equipment in their vehicles.

Wan and Agirê experience long, severe winters. In their higher-altitude areas, freezing temperatures and snowfall commonly begin in November and can continue into April or May.

Snow accumulation at higher elevations frequently exceeds one meter.

Friday's disruption illustrates the difficulties faced by drivers on mountain roads as winter conditions return.

Although snow-clearing and rescue operations assisted those caught on the route, officials' warning remains relevant to motorists traveling between the provinces during periods of heavy snowfall.