Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Life Across Bulgaria, Leaving Thousands Without Power
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A widespread and intense winter storm has blanketed Bulgaria, transforming the landscape into a picturesque, yet challenging, scene. Heavy snowfall has led to widespread power outages, hazardous road conditions, and travel disruptions across the country, particularly impacting communities in the north and mountainous regions.
The storm, which began impacting the country recently, has already left a significant mark. Snowfall is reported in major cities including Svishtov, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Ruse, Sofia, and Pleven, creating a “white winter fairy tale” according to local reports. However, the beauty is overshadowed by the practical difficulties the storm presents.
Widespread Power Outages and Travel Chaos
The most immediate impact of the storm has been the disruption of electricity supply. Dozens of settlements experienced power outages on Christmas Day, with the Vidin region being particularly hard hit. According to the Electricity Distribution Company in Northwestern Bulgaria, approximately thirty municipalities in the Vidin region are currently without power.
Accidents have been reported in the regions of Vratsa and Montana, alongside other areas, with heavy snowfall cited as the primary cause of the outages. “The most likely reason for the outages is heavy snowfall in these areas,” a senior official stated.
Road conditions are treacherous throughout much of the country. The road situation in Vidin, Smolyan, and the mountain passes is reported as particularly difficult. A truck overturned in the Vidin area, and another heavy truck crashed into a ditch on the Vidin Ring Road, where the speed limit is 50 km/h. Drivers report slippery and snow-covered conditions contributed to the incidents. Kilometers of traffic jams are forming in the Archar region due to the heavy snowfall.
Orange Alert and Mountain Road Closures
A code orange alert has been issued for eight areas, forecasting the heaviest rainfall and strong winds. Conditions are particularly hazardous in the mountains. At the Hainboaz pass, rain is falling intensely at a temperature of minus 2 degrees, while another Staroplanin pass is even colder at minus 3 degrees.
Two snow removal machines are actively working to clear the passes connecting North and South Bulgaria in the Stara Zagora region. However, the highways “Trakia” and “Maritsa” in the Stara Zagora district remain wet, and many other road arteries are similarly affected. Drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution.
Regional Updates and Local Responses
While the situation is severe in many areas, some regions are managing to maintain essential services. In the municipality of Ruse, teams are actively monitoring road passability and treating pavements against icing. Snow removal and sandblasting operations are underway in smaller settlements, and garbage collection is proceeding as scheduled. “Ruse Municipal Transport” reports that trolleybus lines are running normally, despite potential minimal delays.
The duty security council in Ruse has not received reports of disrupted water or electricity supply, with the exception of a fallen tree damaging two cars on “Zahari Stoyanov” Street, which is being addressed by the fire department.
Hazardous conditions persist on the Trojan pass, with drivers urged to travel slowly and carefully, or avoid travel altogether. In the Smolyan region, snow cover has reached 15 cm in higher areas, including the “Prevala”, “Pamporovo”, and “Rozhen” passes. While roads have been treated, snow-covered sections remain.
In Pamporovo, the snow cover is also around 15 cm, and lifts on lines No. 1 and 2 are operational for tourists, though the ski area remains closed. A light snow cover is also present in the Zdravets hut and Koprivkite areas.
Shifting Precipitation and Continued Warnings
While heavy snow is impacting much of the country, precipitation is currently falling as rain in Plovdiv, where the temperature is around 7°. However, yellow and orange code warnings for heavy snowfall remain in effect nationwide. The northwestern part of Bulgaria, the Pre-Balkan region, and the high fields in Western Bulgaria are expected to be heavily impacted by snowfall.
Winds and blizzards are forecast along the mountain passes of Stara Planina and the high mountain roads in southern Bulgaria. In Central Northern Bulgaria and the Ludogoriets region, rain is expected to transition to snow. The situation remains dynamic, and residents are urged to stay informed and exercise caution.
