Heavy snowstorms paralyze Balkans, trigger emergencies

Severe snowstorms have disrupted life across the Balkans, affecting countries like Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia, and North Macedonia, euronews reported.

Northwestern Bosnia is among the hardest hit, with over 200,000 homes losing power, heating, and water services. Towns such as Drvar and Bosanski Petrovac were cut off by snow exceeding 80 cm, forcing businesses, schools, and services to shut down.

Some roads remain blocked for over 12 hours. Croatia faces similar challenges, with heavy snow and winds disrupting traffic and ferry services. States of emergency have been declared across the region as authorities work to clear roads and restore services. Travel warnings remain in effect, with officials urging residents to stay home.

According to the 2013 census, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s population was 3,531,159, with 1,790,454 individuals identifying as Muslim, constituting approximately 50.7% of the population.