Winter storm strikes the Balkans, leaving people stranded in their cars. On Tuesday, heavy snowfall caused widespread chaos across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thousands of households were left without electricity, many roads were blocked, and access to some towns and villages became impossible, Reuters reports. Croatia and Serbia are also grappling with snowstorm-related challenges. The situation appears dire – watch the video.

Snowdrifts paralyzed highways in Croatia, disrupted traffic in Serbia, and halted railway operations in parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing particularly severe conditions. According to the ZagrebInfo portal, in the Drvar area, on the road leading to Bosanski Petrovac, a convoy carrying 70 people, including children, was stranded by snow overnight from Monday to Tuesday. The rescue operation lasted 10 hours.

The Radio Drvar portal reported that a state of emergency was declared due to the extreme weather conditions. The city is completely cut off, with all exit routes blocked.

“We urge everyone to help with snow clearing; all available machinery is on standby. Many residents of Drvar are stranded in snow along routes in Oštrelj, Kolunići, and between Drvar and Oštrelj,” Jasna Pećanac told Radio Drvar. She also appealed to residents to refrain from driving, as the situation is critical.

Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina banned heavy vehicles from using main roads and advised citizens to avoid travel due to fallen trees. Driving without proper winter equipment is especially hazardous. Snowdrifts in some areas reach up to two meters.

Bosnia and Herzegovina without electricity

Two Bosnian power companies reported that over 170,000 households, mainly in the northern and western parts of the country, are without electricity due to damaged power lines. As a result, residents face heating shortages and a lack of running water.

Schools and kindergartens were closed in many regions due to impassable roads and power outages.

The northwestern town of Drvar was completely cut off on Tuesday, according to city council chair Jasna Pećanac. On Monday night, dozens of vehicles were stuck in snow for hours, with drivers and passengers rescued only early Tuesday morning.

Winter storm strikes the Balkans. The situation appears dire.

The Balkan Peninsula, commonly referred to as the Balkans, is located in Southern Europe. Its western boundary is defined by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, its eastern border by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, including the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, and its southeastern edge by the Aegean Sea. The northern boundary of the peninsula is conventionally determined and lacks a precise definition.

Traditionally, the northern border runs along the Danube River from the Black Sea to the Sava River’s confluence near Belgrade, then follows the Sava to the Kupa River’s confluence near Sisak, continues along the Kupa to its source near Osilnica, crosses the Gorski Kotar range through the so-called Liburnian Gate (Vrata), located south of Mount Risnjak, and reaches the Adriatic Sea near Rijeka.

Although this is the most widely accepted convention, alternative lines have been proposed to demarcate the boundary between the Balkan Peninsula and the rest of the continent. Examples include a straight line tangent to the Adriatic and Black Sea coasts or a line connecting Trieste to Odessa.

Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are mainly associated with a warm, holiday atmosphere.