Isparta Governor temporarily removed from office
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Amid a days-long city-wide power cut in Isparta following the snowfall that began on February 3 and continued incessantly for 11 hours, Isparta Governor Ömer Seymenoğlu has been temporarily dismissed. Central governor Osman Kaymak has been appointed in his place.
As the reason for removing Isparta Governor Seymenoğlu from office, it has been indicated that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement released by the Interior Ministry, it has been announced that while Governor Ömer Seymenoğlu was on duty during the struggle against adverse winter conditions in Isparta, he caught COVID-19 and was placed in quarantine at his house. The Ministry has noted that it is a routine practice and that a removal from office or appointment is not the case.
While heavy snowfall and blizzards closed the roads in the Aegean province of Isparta on February 3, electricity has been off in the city as conducting wires have broken off, electricity poles have toppled and substations have broken down. As electricity is off, combi boilers do not work in the city with nearly 500 thousand inhabitants. Citizens wear coats and wrap themselves in blankets at home and use candles and oil lamps for light.
While it has been reported that one person froze to death, the Governor's Office of Isparta has dismissed the allegations.
Damage assessments have been carried out in 235 points in 95 villages and centers in Isparta. Completing the works in the center, the teams have been sent to the villages having problems with accessing electricity. The power cuts in villages are expected to be eliminated today.
There emerged serious problems with heating across the city due to the power cut. Citizens who made a request were accommodated in dormitories. Camp cylinders and lamps were distributed to people to help with heating and lighting and off-board charges were handed out for phones.
Isparta is expected to be hit by snowfall on Tuesday and Wednesday (February 8-9, 2022), according to meteorological data. (AÖ/SD)