SARAJEVO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Local authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) municipality of Kakanj, located 70 kilometers northeast of the capital, declared a state of emergency on Thursday over snow storms and strong wind.
"The height of snow in some parts is higher than one meter, a great number of residents are without electricity, and phone connections are also interrupted," concluded an extraordinary session of civil protection staff of neighboring Kladanj municipality on Thursday.
The area around Kladanj was hit by heavy snowfalls, followed by low air temperatures and strong winds that made it difficult for teams in charge to keep roads clean.
Local roads leading to most villages in the area are not passable, presenting a real danger that supply of basic foodstuffs to residents will be terminated.
Due to the difficult weather conditions and low temperatures, several companies have suspended production.
The Civil Protection Service has warned that there is a real danger that residents cannot get medical help, and called on persons in charge to immediately act in accordance with their competences.
"We have made recommendations to legal persons to take preventive measures of protection and rescue from snowfall and low temperatures, and which are prescribed by the Law on Protection and Rescue of People and material assets from natural and other accidents," the Civil Protection Service said.
For Friday and Saturday, the country's Federal Institute for Hydrometeorology (FHMZ) forecast mostly cloudy weather with snowfall and moderate westerly-northwesterly wind.
Morning temperatures will vary between minus 8 degrees Celsius and minus 1 degrees Celsius. The highest daily temperature will be between minus 4 degrees Celsius and 2 degrees Celsius.
