Balkans battered by blizzard: Serbia declares emergency, military mobilized

The Balkans are experiencing significant disruptions due to heavy snow and ice, which have rendered many roads impassable. Consequently, Serbia's military has been put on standby, and a state of emergency declared in various regions. In Bulgaria, people are trapped in massive snowdrifts.

Intense snowfall has resulted in severe obstruction of several Serbian roads and invoked a state of emergency in some regions. The military has been mobilized for snow clearance operations and is assisting residents, according to Serbian media reports from Monday.

According to "Roads of Serbia," a public company, some South Serbian roads are obstructed due to a hefty layer of snow and ice. The company statement assures that both first and second priority roads, as well as routes leading to winter tourism centers, remain accessible.

The persistent snowfall over the past two days has led to power cuts in certain southern Serbian villages. A state of emergency was initiated on Monday morning in Ivanjica, Nova Varosz, Crna Trava, and parts of Vranja. Snow in these locations measures approximately 3.3 feet high, as reported by RTS television.

Authorities are urging motorists not to travel unless equipped with winter tires, and to stay wary of possible ice buildup.

Serbia's Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that a section of the army is on standby to aid civilian authorities in areas severely impacted by the snowfall.

"The Serbian Army will always be prepared to assist, monitor the situation, and provide necessary assistance to the populace when required by the crisis command," reads a statement from the Ministry of Defense.

Bulgaria is in a similar predicament. Power has been cut in over 1,000 villages following heavy snowfall on Saturday night, states the country's Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, after an emergency government meeting held due to the weather crisis.

A section of Sofia is without electricity. A lack of snow clearance efforts have resulted in uncleared streets and significant public transportation delays.

The plight is particularly acute in northeastern Bulgaria, where snow cover exceeds 15.7 inches. In response to the crisis, a state of disaster has been declared in the Razgrad, Shumen, and Silistra vicinities. Many locations are not only without power but also water, amid irregular mobile phone communication. Inter-city roads remain blocked.

The Stara Planina mountain passes, which connect the northern and southern parts of the country, remain unreachable.

Rescue services have so far assisted over 100 people who were stranded in snowdrifts.