Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

Heavy Snow and Blizzard in Romania

After two winter months lacking any form of precipitation, the heavy snow falls in southern and eastern Romania at the weekend have caused serious problems.

Heavy Snow and Blizzard in Romania
Photo: MApN.

Articol de Radio România Internaţional, 27 Ianuarie 2014, 13:35

Hundreds of stranded cars and vehicles, blocking cleanup on roads and motorways, tens of small towns left without electricity, closed schools, desperate people- these are the defining elements of a picture caused by heavy snow falls in Romania at the weekend. Weather conditions seem slightly favourable, but only for a short period of time.

The code orange alert against blizzard has been extended until Monday evening in the Romanian southern and eastern counties of Constanta, Tulcea, Braila, Calarasi, Ialomita, Buzau, Vrancea and Galaţi, where gale force wind exceeded 70 km/h, reducing visibility and drifting snow. A yellow code alert has also been issued for the northeastern Romanian counties of Bacau, Vaslui and Iasi. For the first time ever in Romania, a red code alert against blizzard was issued on Sunday, in the counties of Buzau, Braila and Vrancea. The capital city, Bucharest was also severely affected by heavy snowfalls and blizzard at the weekend. At national level, unfavourable weather conditions have disrupted traffic on public roads and on the railways or rendered it extremely difficult.

All three highways and tens of national roads have been closed down, over 100 trains have been cancelled or reported considerable delays. Hundreds of heavy vehicle drivers had to stop their travels, waiting for better weather conditions. The authorities have repeatedly called on the population not to travel by car in the aforementioned areas, except for emergency situations. As usual in such situations, many gestures of human solidarity were reported, from the evacuation of old, ailing or sick people to the distribution of humanitarian aid in isolated rural communities.

A highly appreciated support was provided by the army, which dispatched over 200 military and the needed technique in the areas affected by blizzard. Taking into consideration a series of elements, among which heavy traffic, the government has decided to temporarily close down schools in 27 counties in the south, central and east, including the capital city, Bucharest.

In an effort to better manage the situation, Prime Minister Victor Ponta has convened several meetings of the decision makers in transportation and the administration, to establish and take the necessary measures in such situations. Considering that technical capacities turn out to be insufficient or inefficient this year, too, the politicians in opposition and a large part of the public opinion point the finger at the government, accusing it of poor management of the situation.

This winter, which brought along a low quality of precipitations over the past two months, might still create a lot of problems in Romania, with meteorologists warning that, after a short break, Romania will again be hit by heavy snow falls, as of Wednesday.

More news on RRI.

Etichete : snow blizzard romania
Romanian heroes fallen in service commemorated in Oarba de Mures
News in English 23 Aprilie 2025, 22:47

Romanian heroes fallen in service commemorated in Oarba de Mures

Romanian heroes who fell on the Western Front were commemorated on Wednesday in Oarba de Mures, 80 years after the end of...

Romanian heroes fallen in service commemorated in Oarba de Mures
Bucharest citizens will be able to apply for an electronic ID card
News in English 23 Aprilie 2025, 22:46

Bucharest citizens will be able to apply for an electronic ID card

Bucharest residents can start applying for an electronic ID card from Thursday. Appointments can only be made online, and the...

Bucharest citizens will be able to apply for an electronic ID card
IMF cuts its growth estimates for the Romanian economy
News in English 22 Aprilie 2025, 23:15

IMF cuts its growth estimates for the Romanian economy

The International Monetary Fund has lowered its growth forecast for the Romanian economy this year to 1.6%, down from 3.3% in...

IMF cuts its growth estimates for the Romanian economy
EC: TikTok has made extra preparations to better manage the May elections
News in English 22 Aprilie 2025, 23:14

EC: TikTok has made extra preparations to better manage the May elections

The European Commission is continuing to work with the online platform TikTok to ensure that there will be no breaches of EU...

EC: TikTok has made extra preparations to better manage the May elections
The fire in Arges "could not have started by natural causes"
News in English 21 Aprilie 2025, 19:01

The fire in Arges "could not have started by natural causes"

The IGAV's two Black Hawk helicopters withdrew last night after dropping 240 tons of water, a vital aid because the...

The fire in Arges "could not have started by natural causes"
Financing guide under the "Rabla for tractors" program published
News in English 21 Aprilie 2025, 19:00

Financing guide under the "Rabla for tractors" program published

This week, another necessary step of the "Rabla for tractors" program was completed - the publication of the...

Financing guide under the "Rabla for tractors" program published
A new multinational exercise on Romanian territory
News in English 17 Aprilie 2025, 21:30

A new multinational exercise on Romanian territory

Around 4.000 soldiers, with over 900 technical means, from 10 allied countries will take part next month in a new...

A new multinational exercise on Romanian territory
The National Audiovisual Council has removed several videos posted online
News in English 17 Aprilie 2025, 21:29

The National Audiovisual Council has removed several videos posted online

The National Audiovisual Council has removed in recent days a number of illegal online materials from TikTok, Facebook and X....

The National Audiovisual Council has removed several videos posted online