Greece is facing an unprecedented snowstorm, known as ‘Barbara,’ which has resulted in widespread disruptions and cancellations.
According to Ekathimerini, the public sector, schools and most retail stores have shut down, while transportation has been severely impacted.
The national highway from Lamia to Athens has been shut down in several sections, and heavy machinery is being used to remove snow and spread salt in a bid to keep the main road arteries operational.
In Thessaloniki, over 150 heavy trucks from abroad have been immobilised due to the weather, and train schedules 62 & 63 on the Athens-Thessaloniki line have been suspended. Court trials in several cities including Athens, Piraeus, Thebes, Livadia, and Chalkida have been cancelled, along with open markets.
The Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator has declared a state of alert for potential power cuts due to the weather, with over 150 people on call on Evia island and over 800 staff on call in Attica.
Attica region has 117 heavy machines, including 58 large snow plows and 22 smaller ones, cranes, and 4×4 cars to assist people who may be trapped in their vehicles on the roads and for possible transport to hospitals.
Traffic police in Attica have mandated that all drivers on the entire road network must carry snow chains or other non-slip equipment, and have banned heavy trucks of over 3.5 tons from several highways.
Traffic has been banned in the suburbs of Athens, as well as on several streets in Attica.
Ship schedules have been suspended at the ports of Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio due to high-velocity winds, and the strong gale winds have also forced the suspension of the Kyllini-Zakinthos and Arkitsa-Edipsos schedules.
Most of the problems in Central Greece are being experienced in Central Evia and the Mt. Dirfys area.
In the Fthiotida region of Central Greece, heavy machinery is dealing with icy conditions on roads from Lamia to Domokos, Amfissa, and Karpenissi.
Source: Ekathimerini
