Heavy snowfall disrupted Romania's airport operations and road traffic and cut off electricity supply
Heavy snowfall has severely affected transportation and power supply in central, southern, and eastern Romania, impacting over 166,000 households.
Heavy snowfall and blizzards have struck central, southern and eastern Romania, leading to significant disruptions. Authorities reported that over 166,000 households in ten regions experienced power outages as a consequence of the severe weather. The Romanian National Meteorological Administration described the event as an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon, likely the most intense this winter.
At Bucharest's Otopeni Airport, up to 30 cm of snow accumulated, causing the grounding of all flights; five scheduled flights were canceled while another five were diverted to alternative airports. The Interior Ministry reported that heavy snowfall also led to the closure of two runways at Henri Coanda International Airport, further complicating air traffic.
Public transportation in Bucharest has experienced major delays, with trains arriving at the central station more than six hours late, leading to a breakdown in the city's transportation system. Additionally, several highways had to be closed due to the snow accumulation, resulting in further chaos on the roads. The combination of weather impacts on infrastructure poses significant challenges for the region, along with potential safety concerns for residents and travelers alike.