Austria on high alert as severe weather disrupts life

Austria is grappling with intense rainfall and snowfall, which have affected almost all regions of the country, particularly the eastern areas. Many communication routes have been closed, and efforts to clear them are ongoing.

A mudslide that buried railway tracks between Friedberg and Aspang in Lower Austria has caused the suspension of train services. Similar issues have occurred on the Bad Hofgastein-Bad Gastein railway route, where after a heavy snowstorm, trees had to be removed from the overhead lines.

The situation on the roads is equally unfavourable. In Pinzgau, in the east of Austria, fallen trees have blocked several local routes, and the closed trans-Alpine road from Fusch an der Glocknerstraße to Heiligenblut am Großglockner will remain inaccessible at least until the end of the weekend.

Road services are warning of the possibility of avalanches if snowfall intensifies, according to Radio RMF.

The authorities in Vienna are appealing to residents to avoid approaching the banks of the Liesing and Wienfluss rivers, whose water levels may rise rapidly. According to Radio RMF, Austrian railways are encouraging travellers to postpone their journeys, extending the validity of tickets for the coming days.

The Austrian Automobile Club reminds drivers of the need to equip vehicles with snow chains when travelling in the mountains.

Weather forecasts indicate that the situation may worsen. The heaviest precipitation is expected in the lowland parts of Tyrol, Salzburg, Upper and Lower Austria, Styria, and Burgenland. In these regions, between 2 and 3 inches of rain per square metre may fall.

According to information provided by Radio RMF, strong winds are also expected, reaching speeds of up to 55 mph, which may further complicate the situation.