Several road sections in south blocked due to heavy snow

Chisinau, 1 March /MOLDPRES/- The country runs under winter conditions, and over 180 heavy machines are working to remove snow from the road and to spread anti-skid material. Yesterday, some road sections, including the M3, km153, Taraclia, were blocked due to heavy snow and wind.

The head of the State Road Administration’s operation service, Sergiu Capatina, said that the road traffic on national roads is ensured in winter conditions.

“The State Road Administration recommends road users to comply with the road traffic regulations in force, especially relating to the endowment of cars and driving in winter”, he said.

He noted that over the past 24 hours, 330 road workers and 187 special machines were involved in the technological process, scattering 1,331 tons of anti-skid material.

Spokesman of the city hall Vadim Branzaniuc said that 50 heavy machines were involved in cleaning the routes overnight. “In the morning, all roads in the capital and suburbs were accessible and public transport runs normally,” he said.

The press officer of the General Inspectorate for Emergencies, Liliana Puscasu, said that in the last few hours, 19 means of transport were unlocked and pulled by rescuers and firefighters.

“Firemen intervention was necessary in Gagauzia, where near the Vulcanesti-Vinogradovca customs post, 12 cars and 2 trucks remained stuck. In all cases the rescuers managed to intervene for necessary assistance in unblocking the transport,” Puscasu said.

The Customs Service announced this morning that due to the ice bridge formed on the Dniestre river, the activity of the customs posts Cosauti and Soroca remains suspended.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Pavel Filip held an emergency meeting on the bad weather condition. He called for permanent communication and effective interaction between the responsible authorities, so as to prevent crisis situations.

Citizens in difficulty due to weather conditions can call emergency services – 901, 902 and 903, 022 785032.

According to the State Hydrometeorological Service, last night the air temperatures reached -18 degrees. The strong wind shattered the snow, forming scrolls across several sections of national roads.

Meteorologists have announced yellow code of cold and strong wind until 3 March. At the same time, the yellow code of ice formation is also valid till 3 March.

(Reporter A. Zara, editor A. Răileanu)