Bad weather causing travel chaos in the Balkans
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Tens of thousands were without electricity in Slovenia, Austria and Croatia on Sunday after icy rain and sleet caused major disruptions. Hundreds of motorists were evacuated overnight from their vehicles in Serbia, where massive snow drifts have caused widespread travel chaos.
Authorities in Slovenia several roads have been blocked and schools have been advised to close on Monday if necessary. In neighboring Croatia, freezing rain also forced road closure and shut down some railway traffic.
Serbian government minister Aleksandar Antic said that altogether more than 5,000 people have been evacuated in the past several days when authorities used a military helicopter, tanks and armored vehicles to reach stranded people. Several dozen cars remain stuck, he said.
In the southern Austrian province of Carinthia bordering Slovenia, up to 3,000 homes were without electricity for hours following freezing rain on Sunday, the Austria Press Agency reported.
Some railway lines reopened following recent closures, but two routes connecting Austria with Italy remained closed on Sunday.
In southeastern Poland, some 20 villages were cut off by snow drifts, Administration Minister Rafal Trzaskowski said. Workers were clearing road and authorities were helping deliver food.
