Moldova Covered in Snow: 57 Settlements Without Power, Traffic Paralyzed, Schools Extend Holidays

Due to heavy snowfall and strong winds, 57 settlements in seven districts of Moldova are partially without electricity. Over 700 personnel from law enforcement, road services, and rescue teams are engaged in restoration and road clearance efforts. The country is currently under an orange meteorological alert, as reported by ZDG. Due to weather conditions, students have been granted a two-day extension to their holidays, and municipal facilities' activities have been suspended.

According to electricity providers' operational data, the orange meteorological alert and challenging weather conditions, including wet snowfall and intensified winds, led to partial power outages in 57 settlements across seven districts. Premier Energy clarified that 27 settlements in central and southern regions remained partially without electricity on the morning of January 8.

By early morning on January 8, 212 pieces of equipment and 170 employees from the State Road Administration were involved in road de-icing and clearing efforts, dispersing over 2300 tons of anti-skid material. Snow removal is ongoing on all national, regional, and local roads, especially in the northern part of the country.

The State Road Administration warns that roads are currently wet, with icy and snowy patches. Dense fog persists in some areas, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of road accidents. Drivers are urged to exercise caution.

In turn, Moldova's police recommend drivers to avoid certain national routes for the time being:

R1 Chisinau – Ungheni – Sculeni, near the Kornești serpentine, partial traffic stoppage towards Chisinau;

R16 Bălti – Făleşti – Sculeni, Bocșa area near Făleşti, truck movement impossible.

IGP also shared images from the R16 route, where trucks are stopped on the right side awaiting intervention from special equipment.

The M3 route Chisinau – Comrat – Giurgiulesti – Romania border is blocked between the cities of Kongaz and Svetlii.

As previously reported by The Gaze, Finland set a temperature record of -43 degrees Celsius. Due to the severe cold, Finland may set a national record for electricity consumption. Fingrid, the electricity grid operator, assured the public of adequate power supply but urged consumers to try reducing electricity consumption, especially in the morning and daytime, to avoid unnecessary strain on the energy system.

In neighbouring Sweden, meteorologists also report record-low temperatures.