While Alpes-Maritimes remains under an orange alert, Benoit Kandel, the first deputy mayor, provided an update on the situation on Tuesday, alongside Philippe Almot from Urban Risk Prevention, Jean-Marie Bogini, mayor of Isola 2000, Jean Thaon, mayor of Lantosque, and Nice Deputy Mayors, Alain Philip, and Pierre-Paul Lรฉonelli.
The Mรฉtropole Nice Cรดte d’Azur is taking significant measures to ensure the snowy episode proceeds without incident. Today, more than 430 road workers, assisted by 6 snowplows and 30 salt spreaders, have been working to clear over 2330 kilometers of community roads. At the Communal Command Post of the City of Nice, the vigilance unit is on alert, explained the first deputy mayor Benoit Kandel. This was an opportunity to assess the snow episode affecting Alpes-Maritimes, similar to its neighboring departments.
Reduction in Precipitation
A piece of good news: the snow episode of January 31 will not last. According to Mรฉtรฉo-France, the intensity of precipitation, whether snowy or rainy, is expected to decrease by the end of the event, around 8 or 9 PM. Until then, between 3 to 5 centimeters are still expected along the coast and 10 to 20 cm above 200 meters elevation. Tonight, temperatures will remain close to zero, posing a risk of ice.
Precautionary Measures
As a result, the orange alert plan imposes numerous restrictions, both in terms of transport and road services:
- The circulation of heavy goods vehicles is regulated starting Tuesday, January 31, at 03:00 AM, in the Alpes-Maritimes department. Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are prohibited from circulating across the territory. Those with a GVW between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes may drive with the appropriate equipment.
- For buses, following the modification of the prefectural decree, the following bus lines have resumed service: Lines 3, 4, 7, 9/10, 8/12, 6, 16, 22, 23, 52, 81, 98/99, 100, 200, as well as the shuttles between terminals T1 and T2 of Nice Cรดte d’Azur airport. However, there will be no noctambus tonight. Tramway circulation has been maintained throughout the day.
-There will be no waste and bulk waste collection in all the municipalities of the Mรฉtropole Nice Cรดte d’Azur due to the prohibition of heavy goods vehicle traffic. Therefore, it is unnecessary to put out the bins and bulk waste.
Benoit Kandel also calls for vigilance towards the most vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and the homeless. He reminds drivers of the safety rules against the risks of icy roads.
