Bulgaria’s snowstorms: Complete ban on car traffic in Silistra, Shoumen, Varna, Razgrad, Rousse
Bulgarian authorities imposed a complete ban on the movement of cars and all other vehicles in the districts of Silistra, Shoumen, Varna, Razgrad and Rousse on January 6 as the country took the brunt of heavy snowfalls and strong winds.
Throughout Bulgaria, there are restrictions on the movement of cars while heavy vehicles have been banned from all roads in the national road network.
Regional Development and Public Works Minister Liliyana Pavlova said that in some places, there is maximum visibility of 10 metres. This, along with the heavy snowfalls, strong winds, large snowdrifts, is the reason for the ban.
The section of the Trakiya Motorway between Karnobat to Bourgas was closed, as was the old I-6 road from Petoluchkata to Bourgas. Strong winds were causing serious snowdrifts. There was a detour on the Sofia – Bourgas route via Ziminitsa, Elhovo and Sredets.
Pavlova said that from noon, the ban on heavy vehicle traffic would be lifted on the route from capital city Sofia to the Kulata border checkpoint with Greece. Everywhere else, the ban on the movement of heavy vehicles would remain in place.
Petrohan pass was closed because of avalanches.
On the Hemus Motorway, visibility was poor and Pavlova urged people to drive no faster than 40km/h. The Hemus motorway was closed between Shoumen and Varna. The Varna – Dobrich road was closed.
(Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)
/Panorama
