In the Kemerburgaz district in the European part of the city, Turkey's biggest, emergency services had to rescue about 10 people trapped in their houses after a river broke its banks, the Anatolia news agency said. Some roads were impassable.

The city, with a population of 12 million, has long had a severe drainage problem, especially in areas of unauthorised building.

The body of a 79 year old man who had died of hypothermia was found in the western province of Balikesir, Anatolia said.

Weather forecasters say that during the next 24 hours temperatures will drop by between eight and 12 degrees Celsius and say that the west of the country will be hit by snowstorms.

Schools have been closed as a precaution.

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