The Department for Emergency Situations (DSU) informed, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, that effects of the severe weather were recorded in 21 localities across 14 counties of the country.

The National Meteorological Administration issued on Tuesday a Code Orange warning for heavy snowfall, strong wind intensifications and severe blizzard conditions, valid in 12 counties and in the municipality of Bucharest. The counties under severe weather warning are Vrancea, Galati, Braila, Buzau, Ialomita, Calarasi, Giurgiu, Teleorman, Arges, Dambovita, Prahova and Ilfov.

'In the context of the meteorological warnings issued, forces and equipment were redeployed at the level of the emergency structures to the counties under Codde Orange. The County Committees for Emergency Situations convened in extraordinary meetings and ordered measures to limit and manage the effects generated by the severe weather. In the field, forces and equipment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are acting, with the support of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, local authorities and institutions with responsibilities in risk management,' the DSU pointed out on its Facebook page.

According to the quoted source, from the onset of the Code Orange until 23:30, effects were recorded in 21 localities in 14 counties - Arges, Buzau, Constanta, Dambovita, Galati, Giurgiu, Ialomita, Ilfov, Mehedinti, Olt, Prahova, Teleorman, Tulcea and Valcea - as well as in the municipality of Bucharest.

Interventions were carried out to remove water from a basement and from a street, to clear 36 fallen trees and three electricity poles and to remove construction elements detached from nine buildings.

As a result of the emergency situations, 15 cars were damaged.

The DSU informs that road traffic is restricted for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on DN 1 - Nistoresti (Prahova) - Brasov county border and is difficult between Sinaia and Predeal due to a lorry that has skidded.

Seven flights were also held on the ground at Henri Coanda International Airport Bucharest.

In Constanta, operations are suspended in all ports, and in Tulcea operations are suspended in the Sulina Branch area.

Regarding electricity supply, according to the DSU, outages have been recorded in five localities in the counties of Braila and Prahova, affecting approximately 8,585 consumers. Specialist teams are intervening to remedy the faults.

In the counties under warning, traffic on motorways, national and county roads is taking place in winter conditions, with carriageways covered in snow and drifting snow.

The Department for Emergency Situations underlines that the evolution of the meteorological phenomena may generate rapid traffic blockages and risk situations, therefore urging drivers to avoid journeys that are not absolutely necessary, to adapt their speed to road conditions, not to block snow-clearing equipment and to obtain information from official sources before setting off.

Restricted traffic on A2 motorway

The Traffic Information Centre of the Romanian Police informed on Wednesday morning that road traffic is moving with difficulty on the A2 motorway Bucharest - Constanta, in winter conditions, as a result of adverse weather.

Photo source: DORIN IVAN/AGERPRES FOTO

In the area, action is being taken to keep the road passable, however the weather conditions may affect travel safety, a press release reads.

In this context, the measure has been introduced to restrict traffic for vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes, between kilometres 10 and 105 on the carriageway from Bucharest to Constanta and between kilometres 144 and 10 in the opposite direction.

Police officers recommend that drivers avoid travelling in the area unless absolutely necessary, obtain prior information regarding road conditions and use only vehicles equipped for the winter season.

Drivers are also advised to adapt their speed to road conditions, maintain a greater safety distance from other vehicles, exercise increased caution on road sections with reduced visibility and comply with the instructions of traffic police officers on duty on field.

Traffic restricted on A3 Bucharest-Ploiesti and A7 Ploiesti-Adjud motorways

The Traffic Information Centre of the Romanian Police informed on Wednesday morning that road traffic is moving with difficulty on the A3 Bucharest - Ploiesti and the A7 Ploiesti - Adjud motorways, in winter conditions, as a result of adverse weather.

Photo source: LUISIANA BIGEA / AGERPRES FOTO

According to a press release, action is being taken in the area to keep the road passable, however the weather conditions may affect travel safety.

In this context, the measure has been introduced to restrict traffic for vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes, along the entire stretch of the A3 motorway and on both carriageways of the A7 motorway between kilometres 0 and 52.

Police officers recommend that drivers avoid travelling in the area unless absolutely necessary, obtain prior information regarding road conditions and use only vehicles equipped for the winter season.

Drivers are also advised to adapt their speed to road conditions, maintain a greater safety distance from other vehicles, exercise increased caution on road sections with reduced visibility and comply with the instructions of traffic police officers on duty on field. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Andreea Rotaru; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)