TODAY.AZ / Society

Baku sees first snow

09 January 2015 [16:26] - TODAY.AZ

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

This morning was a great surprise for Baku residents as they woke up to see the first snow outside their windows.

The white fluffy snow coverage brings a sea of joy, making the scenes around us really fantastic. But it has also a negative side creating problems for those hurrying to work.

The heavy snowfall which began on January 8 has hampered public transport and made the pedestrian ways slippery.

Forecasters say that snowstorm in Baku and Absheron Peninsula will continue until this evening (January 9).

To ease the public life, the Transport Ministry utilized available techniques to clear the roads from snow and used sand to ensure the safe movement of cars.

“Despite heavy snowfall in Azerbaijani regions, there are no serious problems in the movement of vehicles on the main highways,” said Kamran Aliyev, the Spokesman for Interior Ministry's Central State Traffic Police Department.

He said Zagatala, Balaken and Sheki regions were covered by heavy snow. Roads in these regions are regularly cleared of snow and nothing prevents vehicles movement.

"We ask the drivers who have no driving experience in such conditions to use public transport. Inexperienced drivers pose problems for the movement of other vehicles, and even may pave the ground for accidents," Aliyev said.

Although different snow removal equipment were brought to the streets of the capital in the evening, some roads of the capital city are still covered with ice which prevents the movement of vehicles.

As a naughty nature phenomenon, snow is not something frequent in Baku, as the low temperature is observed only 2-3 days throughout a year in the capital.

The hampered public transport has led to the accumulation of people at bus stops, making many people go to work on foot.

Obstacles on the roads have forced many passengers to flood to the subway stations.

“Today a significant increase in passenger traffic is observed in subway," said Nasimi Pashayev, the Spokesman of the Baku Metro. "Baku subway is ready to cope with the increasing passenger traffic.”

Deteriorating weather conditions in Azerbaijan have not had significant effect on the operation of the Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

The airport noted that the flights are carried out in accordance with the schedule and there has not been any cancellation so far.

"Except some delays, which may occur even on ordinary days, the situation is normal. There are no problems with the flights,” the airport said.

The cold weather didn't hamper the routine programs of schools in the capital. Baku schools are operating normally today, said Jasaret Valehov, Spokesman for the Education Ministry.

Only some parents did not allow their children to go to school simply due to unfavorable weather.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/society/138244.html

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