Heavy Snowfall Paralyzes Yerevan, Exposing City’s Unpreparedness; Government to Cover Medical Costs for Injuries

Photo credit: Narek Aleksanyan | hetq.am

A powerful snowstorm hit Armenia’s capital on Thursday, bringing the city to a standstill and exposing the government’s lack of preparedness. Despite early warnings from meteorological services a week in advance, Yerevan’s authorities failed to take necessary precautions. As a result, heavy snowfall caused severe transportation disruptions, massive traffic jams, and numerous accidents, leaving many residents stranded.

The heavy snowfall, which started Thursday afternoon, quickly overwhelmed the city’s roads. By the evening, Yerevan was gridlocked with ten-point traffic jams. The streets, left untreated with de-icing agents, became dangerously slippery. The lack of proper road maintenance led to numerous car accidents, worsening the already dire situation.

Public transportation was particularly affected. Buses and trolleybuses struggled to move through the snow-covered roads, with many drivers stopping mid-route, forcing passengers to disembark and walk home. In some cases, commuters waited for hours at bus stops, hoping for alternative transportation, only to be left with no choice but to walk several kilometers in freezing temperatures.

As public frustration mounted, Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan finally addressed the situation—but not until close to midnight. In a live broadcast on social media, Avinyan appeared unfazed, smiling as he assured residents that the city was working hard to clear the snow. He defended the government’s response by stating that a month’s worth of snow had fallen within just 10 hours.

Avinyan urged people to stay home the next day if possible. 

As the chaos continued, Education Minister Zhanna Andreasyan took decisive action, announcing late Thursday that all schools across Armenia would be closed on Friday, February 21. Several universities also switched to remote learning due to the severe weather conditions.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan acknowledged the increased risk of injuries due to icy sidewalks. She announced on Facebook that the government would cover the medical expenses for individuals injured in falls, regardless of their social status.

By Friday morning, city authorities insisted that they were actively clearing the snow, but the situation on the ground told a different story. Major roads remained unplowed, and on the few key highways where de-icing chemicals were used, the conditions worsened, making it difficult for sedans to navigate. Secondary roads were almost entirely impassable, leaving many residents stranded.

Criticism of the government’s handling of the crisis intensified. Former Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan, one of Avinyan’s main political opponents, pointed out that the city’s buses were not equipped with proper winter tires. He accused the current administration of failing to enforce regulations implemented last year by the Interior Ministry, which made winter tires mandatory for all vehicles.

In response, Avinyan insisted that the city’s buses had all-season tires, which he claimed were sufficient for winter conditions. However, his explanation failed to convince many, especially as images of abandoned and immobilized buses circulated on social media.

Consumer rights advocate Babken Pipoyan also criticized the mayor’s response, stating that the fact bus drivers refused to operate proved how unsafe the vehicles were. He alleged that many buses had worn-out tires that should have been replaced months ago.

Adding to public frustration, the transportation crisis came just weeks after a controversial increase in bus fares. On February 1, Yerevan’s municipal administration raised fares, justifying the hike by citing improvements in public transport. However, opposition leaders, including Marutyan, urged residents to boycott the fare increase and continue paying the previous rate of 100 drams (about 25 U.S. cents) per ride. In response, Avinyan threatened to take action against commuters who refused to comply with the new fare policy.

The severe snowfall in Yerevan has exposed deep flaws in the city’s emergency preparedness and public transportation system. With roads still covered in snow and citizens left struggling to get around, many are questioning the leadership of Mayor Avinyan and his administration. As the government faces mounting criticism, residents are left wondering whether officials will take steps to prevent such a crisis in the future—or if Yerevan will be paralyzed again when the next winter storm arrives.