Heavy snowfall in Romania. First road problems, blocked trains, and delayed flights (Photo & video)

Heavy snowfall is reported in the central, northern, and eastern parts of the country, with snow removal equipment operating since the night. The first problems have already appeared on several roads where winter conditions are present, and railway traffic is also disrupted in some areas.

Here is the situation in the areas where snowfall is reported:

First problems on roads

• The Regional Directorate for Roads and Bridges (DRDP) Brașov is operating with over 150 snow removal vehicles on all national roads and highways in the counties of Brașov, Sibiu, Mureș, Harghita, and Covasna. During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, approximately 1,000 tons of anti-skid materials were spread, and the intervention continues.
• Over 50 snow removal vehicles operated on the streets of Brașov municipality, Poiana Brașov, and the road connecting the municipality to the resort during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, using approximately 4,000 tons of anti-skid material, as announced by the Brașov City Hall.
• It is snowing in the Moldova region, and in Suceava, the road surface is wet or alternating with sectors of slushy snow under 1 cm. All road sectors were treated throughout the night to maintain traffic flow with 42 vehicles equipped with plows and spreaders, consuming 300 tons of anti-skid material, according to the Suceava Prefecture.
• In Galați county, under a yellow snow warning and wind intensification, snow has accumulated on DN 24D, DN 25, and DN 26, as announced in the morning by the Regional Directorate for Roads and Bridges Buzău, which is operating with anti-skid material.
• In the Câmpulung Moldovenesc area, winter conditions are present on a road covered with 0-2 cm of compacted snow. Tree falls on the road due to the weight of the snow were recorded on DN 17B, DN 17A, and DN 17. Operations are carried out with 22 vehicles equipped with plows and spreaders, using over 210 tons of salt.
• In Vâlcea, snow removal is ongoing on DN 7A. The county operated with 14 vehicles throughout the night on all roads under its administration, where there is chopped snow measuring 1-3 cm.

The Infotrafic Center of the Romanian Police General Inspectorate informs that several incidents have occurred on roads affected by winter conditions:

• On DN 11 Onești-Târgu Secuiesc, in the Lemnia area, Covasna county, a collision occurred between two trucks, resulting only in material damage. Traffic is flowing alternately, in one direction, directed by police. Normal traffic is estimated to resume after 08:00.
• On DN 1 Ploiești-Brașov, in Bușteni, Prahova county, a Bulgarian-registered truck hit a guardrail and remained immobilized on the road surface. There are no injuries, but traffic is stopped in both directions. Snowfall is reported in the area, and the road is covered with snow. Normal traffic is estimated to resume in 45-60 minutes.
• On DN 2 Buzău-Focșani, in the Dumbrăveni area, Vrancea county, a road accident involving four cars occurred, resulting in five people suffering minor injuries, medically evaluated on-site. Traffic is stopped towards Focșani, with alternating traffic on the other lane. Normal traffic is estimated to resume after 08:00.
• On DN 2D Focșani-Târgu Secuiesc, near Ojdula, Covasna county, due to weather conditions (blizzard), a tree fell on the road surface, blocking both directions of travel, as announced by the INFOTRAFIC Center of the Romanian Police General Inspectorate. There are no injuries or damaged vehicles. Currently, an intervention is ongoing to clear the road, with normal traffic estimated to resume after 09:00.
• Seven people were injured in a road accident that occurred in the morning in Ovidiu, Constanța county, between a minibus and a car, resulting in the minibus overturning. At the scene, a water and foam firefighting vehicle, three SMURD teams, and three ambulances from the County Service were dispatched.

• Precipitations in the form of sleet and snow are reported, with the road surface partially covered with snow in several counties, but no traffic restrictions are imposed due to weather conditions, in Alba, Argeș, Bacău, Bistrița-Năsăud, Botoșani, Brașov, Caraș-Severin, Covasna, Dâmbovița, Gorj, Harghita, Hunedoara, Iași, Maramureș, Mureș, Neamț, Prahova, Sibiu, Suceava, Vaslui, Vâlcea, and Vrancea.
• Fog reducing visibility to under 50 meters is reported on DN 18, at Prislop Pass, near Borșa, Maramureș county.
• The Infotrafic Center of the Romanian Police General Inspectorate reports precipitation conditions, including heavy rain in some areas, along the entire stretch of the A3 Bucharest-Ploiești highway, with sections of accumulated water on the road surface. Additionally, visibility in traffic is reduced.

• A polar air mass has engulfed Romania, with heavy snowfall in several counties. The weather is deteriorating, and the National Meteorological Administration (ANM) issued 4 new alerts on Thursday morning, including a red blizzard warning. Details HERE.

Stopped trains

• CFR SA informs that railway traffic is adjusted to the unfavorable weather conditions recorded in the counties under a yellow warning for strong winds, heavy rain, and blizzard conditions, with circulation issues reported in the Iași, Brașov, and Bucharest regions.
• Trolley pole and own personnel intervention are ongoing in the CF Iași Regional Area, on the Grădinița – Lunca Ilvei station interval, where works to restore tension to the contact line are in progress. Currently, the circulation of three passenger trains (R 5702, R 4205) is affected, stationed at adjacent stations.
• In the Brașov Regional Area, between Toplița and Gălăuțaș stations, rail traffic is temporarily suspended due to unfavorable weather conditions (blizzard), currently affecting the circulation of three passenger trains, IRN 407, R 4506, and R 4503.
• Between Timișu de Sus and Dârste stations, train traffic is operating on track I as there is no tension on track II. Trolley pole intervention on track I is underway to fix the disruption.
• In the Bucharest Regional Area, at Sinaia railway station (lines 1 and 2), and on the Sinaia – Valea Largă section, track II has been accidentally de-energized due to fallen trees. Rail traffic is operating on track I. Intervention with a trolley pole is ongoing to fix the disruption.
• In the CFR Iași, Brașov, Bucharest, and Timișoara regional areas, local commands are activated, and railway personnel are acting and intervening, as necessary, to ensure continuous and safe rail traffic.
• "Passengers are asked that during this period, with unfavorable weather conditions announced, they request information regarding train traffic conditions at the telephone number 021/9521 – CFR Information – and to check arrival or departure times from București Nord, Henri Coandă Airport, Timișoara, Iași, Cluj Napoca, Craiova, Brașov, and Constanța stations can access the website www.cfr.ro - webcam section, where arrival/departure panels are updated every minute," CFR states.

Delayed flights

• Sibiu International Airport is currently operating according to winter-specific procedures. Several flights have departed with delays due to additional de-icing operations required in the winter season, as communicated by airport officials.
• The Lufthansa flight Sibiu – Munich, scheduled for takeoff at 06:05, experienced a delay, with actual departure at 07:56.
• The Wizz Air flight Sibiu – Karlsruhe took off at 08:39 instead of the scheduled 07:25.