Rescue Service reports closure of highways across Armenia 

ArmInfo.The Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia reports the closure of highways across the Republic.

According to the press service of the Rescue Service, the roads  leading from the Amberd high-mountain meteorological station in the  Aragatsotn region to the Amberd Fortress and Lake Kari are closed.   Furthermore, due to a snowstorm, the Gndevaz-Jermuk road is closed to  all vehicles.

It is noted that due to the snowstorm and snowfall, the Vardenyats  mountain pass, the Spitak and Dilijan turns, the Jermuk crossing  towards Jermuk and Sisian, the Noyemberyan-Jujevan and Noravan-Kapan  highways, and the Tigranashen Yeraskh-Zangakatun turnoff are closed  to heavy vehicles; the road is difficult to pass for other vehicles.  The Vanadzor-Dilijan and Vanadzor-Alaverdi highways are closed to  trucks with trailers.

Turns in Stepanavan, the Berd-Chambarak Highway, and sections of the  M4 Highway leading to Lake Parz and towards Haghartsin are impassable  for all types of vehicles.

Icy patches are observed on roads in Kotayk Province, Aparan, Aragats  (snowstorm), Dilijan, Sevan, Chambarak, Martuni, Gavar, Sisian,  Goris, Ashotsk, and Amasia.

Snow fell in Syunik (except for the city of Meghri), Ararat, Armavir,  Aragatsotn, Tavush, and Lori Provinces, as well as in the communities  of Yeghvard, Abovyan, Baghramyan, Artik, and Ani. Snow fell on the  Saravan-Zanger section and in the city of Jermuk. "We strongly  recommend that drivers use only winter tires," the Armenian Ministry  of Internal Affairs' SS said in a statement.

The agency added that, according to information received from the  Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs' Department of Emergency  Situations and the Crisis Management Center of the Russian and North  Ossetian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Stepantsminda-Lars  Highway is closed to all vehicles.

It also noted that from 8:00 AM on January 16 to 8:00 AM on January  19, the crisis management centers of the National and Regional Rescue  Departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Emergency Situations  Service received reports of traffic blockages due to heavy snowfall.  It was noted that 128 vehicles were rescued from the snow, and 254  citizens received necessary assistance.