A severe snowstorm has wreaked havoc across the Balkans, leaving tens of thousands of homes without power and causing significant traffic disruptions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. The harsh weather conditions have prompted emergency declarations and travel warnings as authorities scramble to respond to the crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Tens of thousands of homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina are without electricity due to heavy snow and winds.
- Traffic chaos has ensued across the region, with major routes closed and heavy vehicles banned.
- A state of emergency has been declared in Drvar, where residents are stranded due to snow drifts up to 6.5 feet high.
- Search and rescue operations have been hampered by severe weather, including the search for a missing hiker in Slovenia.
Power Outages Across The Region
The snowstorm has left approximately 127,000 metering points without power in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the state power distributor, Elektroprivreda BiH. In the Republika Srpska region, another 50,000 users are also affected. The situation has been described as "extremely hard" as heavy, moist snow has brought down power lines, complicating repair efforts.
Traffic Chaos And Emergency Declarations
In response to the severe weather, authorities in Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia have issued travel warnings and banned heavy vehicles from affected roads. Snow drifts have closed major routes, leading to significant traffic disruptions. In Drvar, a state of emergency was declared as the municipality became completely cut off, leaving its 17,000 residents stranded. Local officials have requested assistance for snow clearing, as all available machinery is already deployed.
Impact On Daily Life
The snowstorm has also disrupted daily life in the region. Schools in Banja Luka, the second-largest city in Bosnia, have been closed, and classes were canceled in approximately 70 schools in the Una-Sana Canton. Public transport has come to a standstill in parts of Bosnia, with railway traffic halted entirely in some areas.
Search And Rescue Operations
In Slovenia, the search for a missing Hungarian hiker in the Alps has been suspended due to strong winds. Rescuers managed to reach his female companion and bring her to safety, but the harsh weather has made further rescue efforts challenging. In central Croatia, a mountain rescue team used skis to reach a man stuck in his car while trying to get to a hospital for dialysis treatment.
Conclusion
The ongoing snowstorm in the Balkans has created a dire situation for many residents, with power outages, traffic chaos, and emergency declarations becoming the norm. As authorities continue to respond to the crisis, the hope is that conditions will improve soon, allowing for the restoration of services and the safety of those affected.
Sources
- play, Al Jazeera.
- Balkans snowstorm leaves tens of thousands of homes without power and causes traffic chaos | AP News, AP News.
- Balkans snowstorm leaves tens of thousands of homes without power and causes traffic chaos – KTVZ, KTVZ.
- Balkans snowstorm leaves tens of thousands of homes without power and causes traffic chaos | National | wdrb.com, WDRB.
- Balkans in Blizzard: Snowstorms Disrupt Power and Traffic | Science-Environment, Devdiscourse.
