Schools in Split-Dalmatia County will remain closed on Monday because of the heavy snow that hit the area over the past three days, the local emergency management centre said on Sunday.
Three special army units, comprising about 200 soldiers and machinery, have been engaged to help the population and clean roads. If necessary, they will be sent to villages in the Imotski and Vrgorac areas which are cut off because of snowdrifts. More than 100 villages throughout the county are cut off from the main roads.
Despite the emergency caused by the snow and the ice, Split Mayor Zeljko Kerum has not appeared in public or addressed the residents for three days. When asked about this, his deputy and centre commander Jure Sundov said the mayor was in the city and following developments.
County Prefect Ante Sanader said the emergency management centre's priority was to restore normal living conditions by clearing up roads, helping deal with with power outages, and helping the homeless. He added that rescue services, firemen, the Red Cross and police were all on stand-by.
On Friday and Saturday, 160 people were treated at Split's University Hospital for fall and slip injuries. Fifteen surgeries were carried out, including on children.
After several days of cancellations because of snowdrifts, buses started operating from Zagreb to the southern coastal areas on Sunday. Although no bus has arrived from there today, traffic is expected to get back to normal in the afternoon because the weather is improving. There are disruptions in bus services to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Flights between Zagreb and Split have not been restored, Zagreb Airport said, adding that all other flights in Zagreb operate regularly.
In the Zadar area, the situation is getting back to normal, with bus services to Zagreb, Split and Rijeka restored. Local bus service has also been restored, although the airport remains closed. Mayor Zvonimir Vrancic said it would be decided later today if there would be school on Monday. Power outages on the Pag and Molat islands and in the Stankovci area have been dealt with.
Police in Karlovac confirmed that a 78-year-old man froze to death in a local village.
In the Gorski Kotar region, water mains broke because of the cold in Delnice and Mrkopalj, but water supply is expected to be restored in the afternoon.
In eastern Croatia's Osijek city area, all roads are open for traffic despite high amounts of snow. Three icebreakers are working on the Drava river.
