(ANSAmed) - ZAGREB, FEBRUARY 3 - Arctic temperatures and
snowstorms have caused serious disruption to traffic throughout
Croatia, with major problems for everyday activities
particularly being felt in the areas of Istria and Dalmatia, on
the Adriatic coast, where snow is far from being a common
occurrence.
This morning, the southern Adriatic city of Split, the region's capital, awoke to a covering of around 10 centimetres of snow after a storm that meteorologists say was the most violent in fifty years. The city is effectively at a standstill, with public transport decimated and only one bus circulating in roads that have been cleared by snowploughs, without a fixed route or timetable. The traffic meltdown has also caused problems to the supply of bread and some fresh foods. City authority rules state that a "Snow Day" can be declared in the case of serious snowfall, at which point all schools and the entire city administration are automatically closed. All universities, courts and the city's airport have also been closed.
Because of strong winds, a ship travelling from the Dalmatia islands, which are also covered in snow, collided with the shore as it attempted to dock, but no-one was injured. Road traffic towards the centre of the country and the capital Zagreb is reduced and a number of bus services have been suspended until the situation returns to normal. Meanwhile, stretches of the motorway leading to Rijeka and to the Dalmatia area are closed to traffic.
Given the rarity of the event, the local population, and young children in particular, are enjoying the snow and the unexpected day off. Snowmen have been built and some people have even been seen skiing through city streets.
In all coastal cities, meanwhile, the authorities have set out measures to take in the homeless and other citizens whose limited financial means do not allow them an adequate central heating system to combat the arctic temperatures.
Temperatures of around -20 degrees have been recorded inland in inhabited mountainous areas that are accustomed to much colder winters. The temperature in Zagreb this morning was -7 degrees, while heavier snow is forecast for tomorrow. (ANSAmed).
This morning, the southern Adriatic city of Split, the region's capital, awoke to a covering of around 10 centimetres of snow after a storm that meteorologists say was the most violent in fifty years. The city is effectively at a standstill, with public transport decimated and only one bus circulating in roads that have been cleared by snowploughs, without a fixed route or timetable. The traffic meltdown has also caused problems to the supply of bread and some fresh foods. City authority rules state that a "Snow Day" can be declared in the case of serious snowfall, at which point all schools and the entire city administration are automatically closed. All universities, courts and the city's airport have also been closed.
Because of strong winds, a ship travelling from the Dalmatia islands, which are also covered in snow, collided with the shore as it attempted to dock, but no-one was injured. Road traffic towards the centre of the country and the capital Zagreb is reduced and a number of bus services have been suspended until the situation returns to normal. Meanwhile, stretches of the motorway leading to Rijeka and to the Dalmatia area are closed to traffic.
Given the rarity of the event, the local population, and young children in particular, are enjoying the snow and the unexpected day off. Snowmen have been built and some people have even been seen skiing through city streets.
In all coastal cities, meanwhile, the authorities have set out measures to take in the homeless and other citizens whose limited financial means do not allow them an adequate central heating system to combat the arctic temperatures.
Temperatures of around -20 degrees have been recorded inland in inhabited mountainous areas that are accustomed to much colder winters. The temperature in Zagreb this morning was -7 degrees, while heavier snow is forecast for tomorrow. (ANSAmed).
