site.btaSnowfall Disrupts Traffic Across Bulgaria, Some Municipalities Declare Non-School Day

Due to overnight snowfall, road conditions in parts of the country are complicated, and some municipalities have declared Wednesday a non-school day.

Because of heavy snowdrifts and reduced visibility, traffic for all motor vehicles has been temporarily restricted on the Trakia Motorway between Burgas and Zimnitsa, the Burgas regional administration reported.

A temporary restriction has been introduced for vehicles over 12 tonnes on the Varna–Dobrich road, the regional directorate of the Interior Ministry in Varna announced on social media. The Mayor of Suvorovo, Danail Yordanov, told BTA that the town has been without electricity since last night, with additional settlements in the municipality also experiencing outages. By his order, Wednesday has been declared a non-school day in Suvorovo. The kindergarten will also remain closed because the premises are heated with air conditioners.

Snow cover in Veliko Tarnovo has reached up to 20 cm after eight hours of continuous snowfall, which is ongoing, the municipal administration reported. More than 20 machines are operating on the streets, and equipment has been working throughout the night.

A Bulgarian bus carrying 25 passengers en route to Bucharest has become stranded near the village of Vardim due to the complicated road situation, the regional Interior Ministry directorate in Veliko Tarnovo said. The passengers are safe and warm, and there are no people in distress. Fire service teams, roadside assistance, and additional equipment are on their way to help.

Roads in Lovech Region are passable under winter conditions. The Troyan Pass and the Shipkovo–Ribaritsa Pass remain closed to trucks over 12 tonnes, Georgi Genov, Director of the Regional Road Administration in Lovech, told BTA. Restrictions for trucks over 12 tonnes on the Hemus Motorway section within Lovech Region, introduced Tuesday night, have been lifted.

In Pleven Region, 56 machines are cleaning and treating national roads. Winter conditions are complicated, the regional administration said. As of 8 am, fire service teams had responded to around 30 reports of fallen trees and branches. Snow cover in Pleven is about 11–12 cm.

The first-class road Ruse–Razgrad–Shumen has been temporarily closed to vehicles over 12 tonnes due to heavy snowfall, snowdrifts, and snow clearing, the regional road administration in Razgrad reported. At this time, there are no settlements in the region without electricity or water supply.

Heavy snowfall has caused power supply problems in two municipalities in Ruse Region. Due to snow clearing needs, traffic for trucks over 12 tonnes is restricted on the first-class roads from Ruse toward Byala and Razgrad, Regional Governor Dragomir Draganov said, describing the winter situation as complicated.

Wind speed in Sliven currently reaches 24 meters per second, or about 86 km/h. The wind is from the northwest. Precipitation over the past 24 hours totals 28 liters per sq. m., according to the local hydrometeorological station.

Traffic across the road network in Svishtov Municipality is difficult due to heavy snowfall and complicated winter conditions, Mayor Gencho Genchev said. Students traveling from villages to schools in Svishtov have been excused from classes by orders of school principals.

Snow clearing and anti-icing treatments have begun in Sofia, the Sofia Municipality reported in an update on the situation as of 6:00 am.

Roads in Targovishte Region are treated and passable, with no traffic restrictions currently introduced, the regional road administration in Targovishte told BTA.

The Shipka Pass is snow-covered on its northern side, and traffic should proceed with increased caution, according to the regional road administration in Gabrovo. Roads are being cleared and sanded. Drivers are urged not to set out unprepared and to comply with winter conditions.

Roads in Shumen Region are open to traffic under winter conditions. The Rishki Pass is open, but heavy goods vehicles are prohibited from passing. The Varbitsa Pass remains closed year-round, the regional road administration in Shumen said.