A major snowstorm has wreaked havoc across the Balkan region, resulting in wide-ranging power outages and significant transportation chaos for thousands of residents. The storm, which began on December 23, 2024, has significantly impacted Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and parts of Slovenia, bringing communities to a standstill amid extreme winter conditions.
By Monday morning, approximately 180,000 households were reported to be without electricity due to the storm's effects, as reported by the news agency STA. Notably affected areas included the city of Drvar, located in western Bosnia, where local authorities declared a state of emergency. With accumulations of snow reaching up to two meters, access to the city has been completely blocked, making repair efforts increasingly difficult.
Drvar, home to about 17,000 residents, faced dire circumstances. The area's power utility, Elektroprivreda BiH, indicated major disruptions, with 127,000 power meters reported offline. "Despite intensive efforts, improvements are not expected soon," said spokespersons from the utility, reflecting the challenges posed by the extreme weather.
Across the border, Croatia also felt the storm's brunt. Regions such as Lika and Gorski were especially hit, accumulating about 45 centimeters of fresh snow overnight. "People are getting stuck in the snow and need to be pulled out," noted Valentin Crljenko, head of Croatia’s highway unit, during comments reported by dnevnik.hr. He commented on the relentless work of snow clearance teams, stating, "This will certainly continue throughout the night. The snow has surprised us."
Officials have been rigorously working to make roads passable again. Many highways have been completely closed, with reports of numerous vehicles trapped. The adverse conditions have challenged both transportation and electricity restoration, maintaining high levels of anticipatory alert across affected regions.
Weather forecasts indicate the possibility of more severe snowfall as the holiday approaches. According to the weather service Istramet, "The models are raging; we expect more significant snowfall until Christmas." This has prompted authorities to warn residents to stay cautious and avoid unnecessary travel, reinforcing public safety advisories amid the continuing unpredictable weather.
Meanwhile, Slovenia has not been spared from the storm's impact. A dramatic rescue operation unfolded for two Hungarian tourists who became stranded in the Steiner Alps as their hiking plans took a turn for the worse. Reports indicate they got lost on Sunday evening and had to abandon efforts to rescue them due to severe weather conditions hindering visibility for helicopters. "They are stuck at about 1,700 meters," reported STA, detailing the precarious situation without guide assistance.
Although the conditions have drawn much attention, the region is bracing for challenging holiday celebrations. While parts of Germany anticipate frosty weather, they are spared from the extreme snow accumulation seen across the Balkans. For the people affected, challenging circumstances are set to define their festivities this year.
The persistent efforts of emergency teams across Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia underline the severity of this storm, which has tested the resilience of communities. The region will need to navigate these trying times as they prepare for the holidays, hoping for improvements as they work through the difficulties posed by this unprecedented snowfall.
