ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Temperatures dropped below zero and snow blanketed roads and homes in the mountainous region on the Kurdistan Region-Iran border overnight. 

The snowfall started Thursday night in northeast Erbil’s Haji Omran. Shiwa Rash village, located near the Haji Omran border crossing, has seen the most accumulation, though snow continues to fall further to the east.

The snow snarled traffic on the Hamilton Road.

Temperatures in Choman district reached minus two degrees Celsius and residents in the area, preparing for the cold winter months, have asked the Kurdistan Regional Government to increase their heating oil allowance, beyond the 200 litres per family that was already provided. Fuel prices have increased in recent months.