Over 15,000 skiers and holidaymakers stranded in the French Alps due to heavy snow

#FrenchAlps #tourists #skiresorts #Savoie Nearly 15,000 skiers are stuck in their vehicles in the French Alps because of heavy snow that has blanketed roads that lead to the popular ski resorts in the region. The tourists, mostly holidaymakers, were headed towards the ski resorts in the Savoie region in southeastern France.
The authorities have set up shelters in 12 towns to cope with the number of travelers who have been forced to leave their cars. The freezing conditions have resulted in the death of a 27-year-old man whose car slid into a ravine in the Belledonne mountain range.
The Interior Minister of France, Bernard Cazeneuve, has urged drivers "to exercise the utmost caution" and also consider delaying their journeys, if possible.
In order to cope with this situation, the regional authorities have activated an emergency plan to re-house the stranded holidaymakers who are not able to reach their destinations. As many as 20 locations were being opened to look after these stranded holidaymakers. Many of them are accompanied by small children.
As a ski journalist based in St Martin de Belleville has informed that French authorities are doing their best and they have opened schools and sports centers as a temporary measure. There are 150 people staying in the sports center... and another 300 at another resort with bedding down facilities. Regional authorities say they have activated an emergency plan to re-house stranded holidaymakers unable to reach their destinations.