Ice and Snow Continue to Cripple Bulgaria

Society | February 21, 2009, Saturday // 00:00
Ice and Snow Continue to Cripple Bulgaria: Ice and Snow Continue to Cripple Bulgaria Many roads in Sofia, where it snowed for over 48 hours remain covered with snow and ice, significant snow drifts have accumulated at places. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Many of Bulgaria's main roads and mountain passes are impassible or entirely closed for traffic after the heavy snowfall that began early Thursday morning with snow turning into ice due to very low temperatures, the National Road Agency reported.

The Bulgarian Traffic Police warns citizens to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.

There have been four avalanches Friday at the "Petrohan" mountain pass and the pass is closed. The "Shipka" and the "Republica" mountain passes are also closed along with the roads between Muglizh and Gurkovo, Shipka-Sheynovo, Dubovo-Borushtitsa.

Traffic conditions all over Bulgaria are reported as treacherous. There are snow covered roads, ice and drifts everywhere in the country. The situation is reported as the most serious in the North, Northwest and Central Bulgaria. Over 48 towns remain without electricity, 28 of them in the Veliko Turnovo area.

The snow cover in the town of Vurshets, in the Monatana region, has reached 1 meter and an emergency situation has been declared with numerous road closures. The municipality of Lovetch has also declared an emergency situation.

The Varna port is closed since 5 am Saturday for empty vessels due to strong winds.

The search for the 51-year-old woman and her grandson in the area of the village of Dyulino in the Varna region continues. The two disappeared in the waters of the "Dyulinska" river Friday, after trying to cross it with a horse cart.

Many streets in Sofia, where it snowed for over 48 hours, remain covered with snow and ice, significant snow drifts have accumulated at places. The main roads have been treated.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!

Society » Be a reporter: Write and send your article

Advertisement
Advertisement
Bulgaria news Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) is unique with being a real time news provider in English that informs its readers about the latest Bulgarian news. The editorial staff also publishes a daily online newspaper "Sofia Morning News." Novinite.com (Sofia News Agency - www.sofianewsagency.com) and Sofia Morning News publish the latest economic, political and cultural news that take place in Bulgaria. Foreign media analysis on Bulgaria and World News in Brief are also part of the web site and the online newspaper. News Bulgaria