Heavy snowfall and below-freezing
temperatures on Monday continued to grip Italy, especially
southern regions where many schools remained closed after the
Christmas-holiday break.
The plants of Sevel, Honda and Hydro and most companies in
Val di Sangro in the Abruzzo region were also shut down on
Monday while the first shift at the FCA (Fiat Chrysler
Automobiles) plant in Melfi, Sicily, was suspended.
Over the weekend, streets were closed, trains delayed,
airplanes grounded and ferry services suspended due to snow and
heavy winds, particularly in the regions of Abruzzo, Molise,
Puglia and the southern area of Marche, where snow was also
forecast on Monday.
Sub-freezing temperatures were also blamed for the deaths of
eight people across Italy over the weekend, most of them
homeless.
Firefighters have intervened a reported 1,600 times over the
past 48 hours to provide assistance and monitor areas at risk.
The situation remains critical in Puglia, where homes and
hospitals have been isolated by the snow, especially in the
province of Bari, where schools were closed Monday.
A number of towns in the region's Murgia area were isolated,
including Cassano, Altamura and Santeramo, because of two meters
of snow.
Sub-freezing temperatures were also reported in parts of
Calabria, including the cities of Cosenza, Catanzaro and Vibo
Valentia, and in Sicily, including Messina.
Cold weather has also gripped Rome with many fountains in the
city center, including in St Peter's Square and Piazza della
Repubblica, dripping icicles rather than water.
On Sunday Pope Francis appealed to God to "warm our hearts so
we'll help" the homeless during the Artic-like weather.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
