Winter grips rural landscapes in Van, Turkiye

VAN, TURKIYE - JANUARY 07: A view of the snow-covered landscape during the winter season in the rural areas of Van, Turkiye on January 07, 2025. Winter brings immense challenges to the residents of Caldiran and Ozalp, as freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall grip the region in Van. The cold, often as severe as in polar regions, makes daily life particularly difficult, especially in areas at higher altitudes. In the Bezirhane district of the Caldiran plain, temperatures plunged to a record low of minus 33 degrees Celsius in February last year. This winter, the community is once again facing the unrelenting cold, working hard to carry on with their daily lives despite the harsh conditions. (Photo by Ozkan Bilgin/Anadolu via Getty Images)