Snow blankets Slovenia: 36,000 without power, residents in some areas advised to stay home

(Patria) - Due to heavy snowfall, on February 20th, approximately 30,000 consumers in the Maribor area and over 6,000 in the Celje area are without electricity.

There are also problems with water supply in Maribor, and traffic is severely hampered in parts of Slovenia.

Snow is falling across the country, with the most accumulation in Koroška and Podravje, reports Maribor.info. According to forecasts, snow will continue to fall until late afternoon.

The Maribor Police Administration has been notified of several traffic accidents with material damage since early morning. Several drivers also had problems due to fallen trees, broken cables, and poles on the roads. Given that snow conditions continue to cause traffic problems and conditions remain challenging, drivers are advised to be cautious.

Warning: People should not be outdoors

The City Municipality calls on citizens to avoid all green areas and squares in the city, in the City Park, Betnava Forest, Stražun, and Pohorje until further notice.

"Due to the large amount of heavy and wet snow, there is an increased risk of branches breaking and trees falling, which poses a serious risk to people's safety," warn the authorities, reports RTV Slovenia.

According to weather forecasts, 10 to 20 centimeters of snow may fall in the lowlands of Koroška, Štajerska, and Pomurje by the afternoon, and up to 40 centimeters at higher altitudes.

Precipitation will gradually decrease from the west during the afternoon and will mostly stop by evening.