Cold weather causes disruptions across Europe

Berlin, January 07, SPA -- Germany was experiencing today the coldest
weather in more than 20 years, with overnight temperatures dropping
below minus 20 degrees centigrade, accordong to DPA.

Near Dresden, in the eastern state of Saxony, Germany's lowest
temperature of minus 27.7 degrees centigrade was recorded in the town
of Dippiswolde, according to the Meteomedia weather service. In the
neighbouring state of Thuringia, temperatures dropped to minus 27.5
in Altenburg, south of Leipzig.

Railway commuters experienced delays across the country, since
train tracks and carriages had frozen overnight. Taxi vouchers were
issued to passengers on the 40-kilometre railway service between the
cities of Leipzig and Halle, which was disrupted by the weather.

On the motorways, icy conditions prevailed and lorries were
brought to a halt as diesel fuel froze, causing tailbacks.

In a Berlin suburb, 120,000 residents lost their heat and
electricity supply when a burst water pipe flooded cellars, covering
roads with water which quickly froze to ice.

Other parts of Europe have also been affected by the cold weather
conditions. At 21 degrees below zero, Belgium measured its lowest
temperatures in a decade in the town of Ernage, between Brussels and
Namur.

Milan's Malpensa airport in northern Italy remained closed
Wednesday morning, as heavy snowfall prevented airport staff from
reaching work.

In Britain, millions of pensioners and severely disabled
people have, for the first time in a decade, become eligible for
a 25-pound (27-euro) cold weather payment, which kicks in when
temperatures drop below freezing for seven consecutive days. Benefits
paid out so far have topped 100 million pounds (109 million euros).

--SPA