THE coldest day of the winter so far, yesterday saw the closure of roads and schools in several areas as snowfall reached as far down as the village of Tseri in Nicosia.
With varying degrees of snowfall in all districts – Famagusta reported its first snows in 40 years – a total of four mountain roads were closed yesterday with another 29 labelled by police as dangerous, while a total of eight primary schools and two secondary schools were shut, including several in the Paphos district.
Temperatures fell to 7C inland, between 10C and 11C on the coast and -2C in Prodromos. Overnight on Tuesday they had fallen to 1C inland, between 2C and 4C on the coast and -6C in mountain areas.
Yesterday would normally have been the first day back to school for many children but because of the hazardous roads a total of ten remained closed in snow-hit areas.
This meant that parents were unable to register their children but head of primary education, Elpidoforos Neoclous appeased any concerns from parents. “The schools and the Education Ministry are flexible and understand that some children were unable to attend school due to the bad weather,” he said. “They can register them in the coming days when the roads clear up,” he added.
In addition to heavy snowfall in the mountains, the arrival of snow to lower lying areas also caused problems due to icy roads.
The Platres – Troodos, Prodromos – Troodos, Karvouna – Troodos and Agros – Troodos roads were closed yesterday for all cars.
The Ayias Koronis – Farmakas – Palechori, Palechori–Agros, Askas – Fterikoudi, Alonas–Polystypos–Platanistassa, Lagoudera–Farmakas, Kakopetria–Karvouna roads were deemed to be dangerous with only hose cars having chains or four-wheel drive advised to travel on them.
Similarly the Kakopetria–Pinewood–Pedoulas, Spilia– Kannavia, Pedoulas–Prodromos, Pedoulas–Kampos–Kykkos, Kalopanayiotis – Pedoulas, Prodromos – Lemythou, Lemythou – Treis Elies, Kampos – Stavrou tis Psokas, Kampos – Orkonta, Vyzakia – Kapouras roads were also dangerous as were several others in the Limassol and Paphos districts.
In the Limassol district the Erimis – Kyvides – Platres road was closed for the same reason while the Tsadas – Stroumbi, Asproyia – Panayia, Panayia – Pentalia, Trachypedoula – Ayiou Nikolaou Kelokardari – Salamis, Salamis – Ayios Ioannis, Arodes – Kathika, Pegia – Kathika, Kathika – Drousha, Kathika – Stroumbi and Tsadas – Stroumbi roads were also deemed dangerously slippery. The roads between Pachna and Kyvides and Tsada and Mesoyi were also deemed to be dangerous.
“Drivers heading towards mountainous areas are advised to use chains when possible if they do not drive a four-wheel drive car,” police spokesman Andreas Angelides said. “They are also advised to keep their cars in a low gear while also having their lights turned on in foggy areas,” he added. “The public is advised to be extra careful and should they get into an accident or notice adverse weather conditions they should call the citizens helpline on 1460,” he added.
The freezing temperatures have meant that many people in mountain areas have had to resort to burning wood to heat their homes according to Kyperounta community leader Giorgos Panayiotou. “Since the dissolution of the heating allowance that people received from the state, many have had trouble heating their houses and have resolved to burning wood,” he said.
The depth of snow at the peak of Troodos yesterday reached 40 centimetres while in Troodos square it reached 30 centimetres as community leader in the mountain village of Kalopanayiotis, despite the problems, hailed the weather as magical. “These truly are magical moments as everything is covered in snow,” deputy community leader for Kalopanayiotis, Pambos Christodoulou said. “We invite those who are able to come and share these moments to join us,” he added.
Snow also covered the occupied northern peaks of the Pentadaktylos mountains yesterday with reports suggesting a depth of 10cm to 13cm. According to reports, roads in occupied Kyrenia were also shut due to the snowfall. Police in the north warned drivers to be especially careful.
The weather is due to warm up somewhat as of today.
“Despite it being the coldest day so far this winter, snow and ice will slowly disappear as the weather-front is moving north-easterly and from midnight [last night] onwards we should see an improvement in weather conditions,” said senior meteorological officer Kleanthis Nicolaides. “From Thursday [today] we should see a gradual return to usual temperatures for this time of year,” he added.
According to the forecasts the temperature inland will rise to 11C today with 12C on the coast and zero in the mountains.
