Dozens of cars were stranded in heaps on Moldova's roads as a storm hit the country on Monday. Rescuers worked into the night to aid over 170 vehicles and more than 200 people out of the snow.

The Civil Protection and Emergencies reported that the worst situation was on the local roads in the southern districts of Stefan Voda, Taraclia, Leova and Cahul. On the road section between Comrat and Vsşneovca, 32 people were helped, and on the section Chisinau – Cimislia – Vulcanesti – Giurgiulesti, rescuers released 54 cars with 178 people inside, including 18 children.

At the reporting time, rescue efforts were underway near the village of Svetlii in the Gagauz autonomy, where 20 cars were still stranded.

Because of the bad weather, 26 villages in 11 districts were left without electric power.

Drivers are asked to avoid all long journeys or make sure they are properly equipped when these cannot be avoided. The kit should include, among other, a bag of sand, a shovel, a vacuum flask with hot drinks an a fully charged phone battery. Drivers are also reminded to check the car battery regularly.