site.btaTrolleybuses, Trams Suspended in Belgrade due to Ongoing Snowstorm

On Thursday, Serbia woke up to snow-covered and icy roads, with trams and trains stopped in the capital, Belgrade, and some buses running on altered routes, according to local media reports. 

Davor Vidovic, from the Emergency Situations Department of the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, told national television station RTS that traffic was difficult on all roads in the country, including in Belgrade. He added that the worst affected areas were the suburbs of the Serbian capital, where the most snow had fallen.

RTS reports that 27 cm of snow has accumulated in the town of Surcin, located about 30 km from Belgrade and part of the greater Belgrade municipality, and about 21 cm in the centre of Belgrade. Local authorities have said that they are at level three alert and that 60 vehicles and 30 workers are involved in clearing the roads.

Due to the almost continuous snowfall in recent days, some buses in Belgrade are running on modified routes, while trolleybuses have remained in their depots. The corresponding authorities are appealing to passengers to follow the latest information and to be understanding towards the teams clearing the streets.

Since January 4, 20 people have been evacuated from various parts of Serbia where a state of emergency has been declared due to flooding or the threat of flooding of water sources, according to RTS.

Serbian Prime Minister Milan Duric told RTS that the situation in the country is under control, and noted that the worst affected areas are in the Loznica and Zlatibor regions, which usually experience problems in winter.

The ice storm in Serbia, which began in early January, will continue tomorrow especially in the morning, when moderate to heavy frosts are forecast with temperatures ranging from -14C to -7C.