Snowstorm in France wreaks havoc on transportation and electricity

A relentless snowstorm continues to batter France, causing widespread disruptions to transportation and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity, Report informs via Le Figaro.

Fallen trees have crippled rail networks in the regions of Pays de la Loire, Normandy, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and the Paris area. School transportation has also been suspended in several departments hit hard by the snowstorm.

The treacherous weather conditions have led to numerous car accidents across the affected regions. Some roads have been closed entirely, while others have imposed strict restrictions on heavy vehicles weighing over 7.5 tons. These trucks are prohibited from overtaking and must maintain speeds below 20 km/h on certain routes, with some highways banning their passage altogether.

The snowstorm has also left approximately 200,000 French residents without power. The government has pledged to restore electricity to 90% of the affected households by Saturday evening.

31 departments remain under an "orange" alert, the second-highest level of weather warning, due to the ongoing threats of snowfall, ice, and strong winds. On Thursday alone, snow accumulation ranged from 2 to 8 cm on average, with mountainous areas receiving up to 15 cm.