200,000 Homes Without Power Amid Snowstorm in Romania

A powerful winter storm has left about 200,000 homes without electricity across Romania, as heavy snowfall and torrential rain disrupted transport and infrastructure nationwide.

Romanian Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan said Wednesday that severe weather conditions triggered widespread power outages, paralyzed traffic on highways and national roads, and delayed dozens of trains.

According to the national emergency response agency, public transportation in Bucharest has faced significant disruptions after nearly 40 centimeters of snow accumulated across the capital. Fallen trees blocked roads and railway lines, compounding travel delays.

Schools were closed in several cities, and at least 10 ambulances were immobilized in six regions due to heavy snow buildup.

Ivan said electricity has been restored to around 86,000 of the affected homes, while 266 towns and villages remain impacted.

Romania’s average electricity consumption stands at approximately 7.4 gigawatts, with surplus wind and hydropower generation being exported. The minister noted that electricity production rose 11 percent year over year, while consumption increased by 6 percent.

The severe snowstorm underscores the vulnerability of energy and transport infrastructure to extreme weather events, as authorities continue restoration efforts and monitor conditions across the country.