site.bta Authorities Advise Minimum Travel in NE Bulgaria as Heavy Snow, Ice Is Expected

Authorities Advise Minimum Travel in NE Bulgaria as Heavy Snow, Ice Is Expected

Sofia, January 4 (BTA) - The treatment of motorways and first-class roads against ice will begin as early as Wednesday evening, it emerged after a meeting of the situation centre held in anticipation of severe weather conditions expected in Bulgaria.

Information will be updated every three hours, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova said.

The Road Infrastructure Agency said about 3,000 snowplows will be deployed at 650 locations in Northern Bulgaria, where heavy snowfall is expected to produce a metre-deep snow cover.

All authorities have appealed to people to avoid unessential travelling in Northeastern Bulgaria.

The situation in Smolyan and Pazardjik (Southern Bulgaria) may also deteriorate, Buchvarova said.

Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski said mobile operators have done everything possible to avoid problems with communications. Moskovski's Ministry has designated additional rescue teams for the railways, where power lines may be broken. The ports are also ready to help with additional equipment.

Teams of the Road Transport Administration Executive Agency and the Interior Ministry will control truck traffic and call on hauliers to postpone trips, except in cases of emergency and with very good preparation.

Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova assured those present that the country energy system is operating in normal conditions. The situation has been discussed with the three electricity distribution companies, and the number of emergency response teams will be doubled.

The Electricity System Operator has ten specialized machines on standby, and even a helicopter can be used. Over 1,000 people can be mobilized within a couple of hours, and the Kozloduy N-plant is ready with heavy equipment. There are no problems with gas supply at the moment.

Boyko Ranovski of the Traffic Police said the maximum number of policemen will be stationed to control traffic in the most critical sections.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Ministry of Health are also ready to react. Patients in need of hemodialysis and pregnant women expected to give birth will be hospitalized, Deputy Health Minister Vanyo Sharkov said.