Snow storms and strong winds have been sweeping across central and eastern Europe.<br/> <br />Areas of Austria and Serbia have been hit with unusually heavy snow bringing chaos and misery.<br/> <br />Southern Austria, close to the Italian border, has been blanketed by snow flurries over the last 48 hours, leaving cars and trains stranded.<br/> <br />The snowfall was so heavy in parts the army has been called in to help clear blocked roads and bridges.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (German) ARMY LIAISON OFFICER FOR HERMAGOR DISTRICT IN CARINTHIA, COLONEL ERWIN HUBMAN, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Half an hour ago the first 80 soldiers arrived from Spittal, you can see them unpacking their gear behind me. They will be assigned to clear public buildings from snow."<br/> <br />Some areas had as much as one and a half metres of snow, disrupting travel and cutting off communication links.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (German) KOETSCHACH RESIDENT, CHRISTINE ENG, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We do get a lot of snow normally, but usually not in such a short period
