site.btaRomania Grapples With Heavy Snow as Thousands Seek Help in Bucharest

The situation in Romania remained difficult due to heavy snowfall, with 1,291 people seeking emergency medical help in Bucharest over the past 24 hours, authorities said on Thursday.

The figure included 86 people injured in falls, while two homeless people suffering from hypothermia were taken to shelters.

Adverse weather conditions affected 172 settlements in 23 counties, the Romanian Department for Emergency Situations said. Crews carried out interventions to remove more than 900 fallen trees and 32 electricity poles. A total of 438 vehicles were also damaged.

From Friday, the weather is expected to deteriorate again nationwide, bringing rain and snow, stronger winds, and lower temperatures. In Banat and Crisana in western Romania, precipitation is expected to fall mainly as rain, while in Moldavia in north-eastern Romania and in the mountains it is expected to fall as snow. In some areas, temperatures are expected to drop as low as -12 degrees.

Temperatures in Bucharest are also expected to stay below freezing on Saturday. Snow is forecast throughout the day, with local meteorologists predicting a fresh accumulation of up to 15 cm.

Getting around on foot in the Romanian capital on Thursday was a serious challenge, as seen by BTA on the ground. Secondary streets and pavements were still covered with snow and ice, making it extremely difficult for pedestrians to move around.

Because of the bad weather and transport problems, pupils in several settlements in Constanta County attended classes online.