In Romania, the first serious snowfall of this winter season has wrought havoc for road, air and sea travel. In the past two days, an orange code warning against snowfalls and blizzard was issued in the capital-city Bucharest and another 17 central, eastern and southern counties, while a similar yellow code warning was issued for another 14 counties. The capital-city is basically isolated, with all access routes now blocked. Hundreds of cars queued up over kilometer-long roadways at the outskirts of the city, as drivers and passengers had to sit for hours in the freezing cold, waiting for snow ploughs and snow frasers to clear a path.

Countless domestic and international flights were cancelled or delayed, along with dozens of trains. In areas in the eye of the storm over 1,000 people and hundreds of cars were stuck in the snow. Representatives of the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations alongside with the police and the army faced the strong winds, which in some region went over 90-100 km/h to reach the people stranded and freezing in cars and trucks. People were taken out of their vehicles and sheltered in schools, kindergartens and hospitals. As a result of hazardous weather conditions, the authorities have also decided to temporarily close Romania’s two motorways to all traffic. Several dozens of other national and county roads are shut down completely or partially.

Some 500 towns and villages were left without electricity, while several others were isolated due to massive snowfalls. While waiting for the end of the white-out, all Black Sea ports as well as sea travel on the Danube-Black Sea canal have been shut down. Several county schools were also closed. Unfortunately, the bad news does not end here. Meteorologists say a wave of extreme cold weather will sweep the country from Friday until February 8th. Temperatures will drop severely, going as low as –15 to –20 degrees Centigrade.