On Christmas, heavy snowfalls and complicated winter conditions created serious difficulties for traffic on the roads and for the daily lives of people in Northwestern Bulgaria, NOVA reported.
The worsening weather conditions, combined with strong winds and snow drifts, led to problems for drivers and local power outages. Separate settlements in the Vidin, Montana and Vratsa districts were affected.
It has not rained in Montana and the region since last night. The Christmas snow pleased some, but created a number of problems for others. Since Thursday, roads have been closed in the Northwest, as well as settlements without electricity.
According to the latest information, the municipalities of Montana, Vidin, Vratsa and Lom are currently without electricity, and electricity is expected to be restored within hours. Yesterday, there were also cars that got stuck and trucks that overturned in the Vidin region.
Last night, shortly after midnight, the road between Lyuti Dol and Botevgrad, in the Vratsa region and the Botevgrad region, was reopened. The international road was closed due to a broken-down heavy truck. At the moment, all roads in the Northwest are open. There are no serious traffic accidents.
At the “Petrohan” pass, the temperature is -4 degrees. The road is clean to the asphalt, but there may be snow in places. The warning remains for drivers to drive carefully on the road to Sofia and back to Montana and Vidin through the “Petrohan” pass. The pass is prohibited for heavy trucks over 12 tons.
There were fallen branches and trees on the routes in places, but they were removed by road maintenance companies and the fire department.
The winter situation remains complicated in the area of the “Shipka” pass, where a significant snow cover was recorded. Low temperatures, combined with moisture on the roadway, create prerequisites for the formation of “black ice” - difficult to notice, but extremely dangerous for drivers.
There is a huge difference in the southern and northern sides of the “Shipka” pass. On the southern side, the road is cleared to asphalt, there are absolutely no problems. There is a possibility of icing on the north side.
Last night there were calls from road maintenance companies for people not to travel, because the situation was very bad. Almost 18 cm of snow has fallen in the past 24 hours. Temperatures are below zero.
There are no more settlements in Gabrovo without electricity, the electricity operator announced. Traffic has been resumed and is currently operating without problems.
Drivers should be careful and travel in cars equipped for these winter conditions.