Romanian President Traian Basescu spent his week-end in the mountain resort Predeal, in Brasov County, at the end of a week of great political turmoil, when the country's government was reshuffled. Political analysts commented the issue saying the president's mountain escape was inappropriate at this time when villages are under heavy snow and people are trying to stay alive.

The new Government was however busy. The new Prime Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu talked to authorities from areas that were not so affected by the heavy snow to help the villages that are in a critical condition. he went to snow-bound villages in Vrancea and Buzau countie, which were seriously affected by snow.

Approximately 40,000 people are isolated in over 50 villages in Vrancea County, many living without food, water and medicines. In Buzau County, about 23,000 people in 20 localities are isolated, the most affected being Glodeanu Silistea, Scutelnic Vadu Pasii and Sageata, where the  snow layer was high as five meters.

The weather is expected to worsen again in Romania starting Sunday evening (February 12), when the southern area of the country will go under an Orange code for blizzard.

Alex Camburu, alex.camburu@romania-insider.com