Introduction

A massive snowstorm has wreaked havoc across the Balkans, leaving tens of thousands of homes in Bosnia and Herzegovina without electricity. The severe weather, characterized by heavy snowfall and strong winds, has also caused major traffic disruptions in neighboring countries, including Croatia and Serbia.

Power Outages and Emergency Declarations

On Tuesday, the electricity distributor Elektroprivreda BiH reported that the power situation had worsened, with 127,000 metering points affected. Elektrokrajina, which services the Republika Srpska region, disclosed that around 50,000 of its customers are also experiencing power outages. Despite concerted efforts from field teams working around the clock, restoration efforts have faced significant challenges due to the ongoing blizzard conditions.

Impact on Local Communities

In the western municipality of Drvar, a state of emergency has been declared as severe snow accumulation has blocked all roads, isolating its 17,000 residents. Jasna Pecanac, the president of the Drvar Municipal Council, expressed concern, stating, "The situation is extremely difficult. The snow keeps falling, and many people are stranded."

Travel Warnings and Road Closures

Authorities across the Balkans have issued travel warnings in response to the snow drifts that have closed major routes. Construction of heavy vehicles has been banned in Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia as they try to tackle the rapidly deteriorating road conditions. In some villages near Drvar, snowdrifts have reached a staggering height of two meters (approximately 6.5 feet), further complicating clearance efforts.

Educational Disruptions

The impact on education has also been significant, leading to the cancellation of classes in elementary schools in Banja Luka, Bosnia's second-largest city, and the administrative center of Republika Srpska. Previous day, approximately 70 schools in the Una-Sana Canton also postponed classes due to the hazardous snowfall.

Transportation Standstill

The railway services across parts of Bosnia have come to a standstill, with the national power company describing conditions as "extremely hard" in several areas. Heavy, wet snow has heavily damaged distribution lines, making access for repairs difficult. Reports from regional television highlight that dozens of vehicles were stranded for up to 10 hours in western Bosnia before they could move again.

Broader Regional Impact

The storm's impact is not confined to Bosnia. In Slovenia, rescuers have suspended their search for a missing Hungarian hiker in the Alps due to dangerous wind conditions. However, they successfully rescued the hiker's female companion. Meanwhile, in central Croatia, a mountain rescue team employed skis to reach a man trapped in his car while en route to a dialysis appointment, ensuring he received timely medical attention.

Conclusion

As the storm continues to unleash its fury across the region, authorities are working tirelessly to restore normalcy. Stay tuned for ongoing updates as the situation evolves!