Kathmandu: Snowfall, ice and extreme cold have severely disrupted daily life across several European countries, leaving multiple people dead and causing widespread disruption to transport and essential services.

At least five people died in France on Tuesday due to road accidents and extreme cold in the Landes region of southwestern France and the Île-de-France area around Paris, according to officials. Heavy snowfall blanketed historic landmarks in Paris and forced the closure of six airports in northern and western France. Hundreds of flights were canceled, stranding thousands of passengers.

Major disruption was also reported at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where around 400 flights were canceled. Train services were affected due to difficulties in clearing runways and tracks, prompting NS Railways to urge people to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary.

In Italy, continuous rainfall caused the Tiber River to swell, leading Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri to restrict access to parks and high-risk areas. The cold and rain also reduced attendance at the Pope’s traditional blessing at St. Peter’s Square.

Northern Britain experienced a sharp drop in temperature, with mercury falling to minus 12.5 degrees Celsius. With further snowfall forecast in Scotland, MP Andrew Bowie has called for the deployment of the army to assist with relief efforts and the supply of essentials.

Severe weather has also affected parts of the Balkans. Heavy snow and rain caused rivers to overflow and disrupted electricity and water supplies in Bosnia, Serbia and neighboring countries. In Sarajevo, a woman died after being struck by a falling tree branch, while several municipalities in Serbia have declared a state of emergency. Strong winds and storms have damaged coastal infrastructure along the Adriatic coast.

Authorities warn that the widespread extreme weather gripping Europe could result in billions in damage to infrastructure and livelihoods in the coming days.