BELGRADE - Due to relentless snowfall and extremely cold temperatures, the Serbian government announced a state of emergency for the entire country on Sunday.

The Arctic weather pattern that has gripped the region for more than a week has led to nine deaths, with an estimated 70,000 people in outlying and remote Serbian villages severely affected.

An estimated 5,000 kilometers of roads are impassible, according to Predrag Maric, chief of emergency services for the Ministry of Interior.

Thirty-seven Serbian municipalities, mostly along the swath of territory between Montenegro and Bulgaria, had already declared states of emergency.

Maric said under the nation-wide state of emergency all snow removal vehicles and equipment, private as well as public, will be engaged in clearing snow for the next seven to ten days.

"During the next seven to ten days, 75 million dinars (940,000 dollars) will be allocated, for fuel and allowances," stated Maric.

Djordje Babic, deputy chief of police and emergency services, said the state of emergency was called to "clear roads and provide a supply of basic food to vulnerable populations."

Minister of Education Zarko Obradovic recommended that all schools in Serbia be closed for the next five days for an estimated 90,000 students and 120,000 employees. University exams are to be rescheduled.

Government officials stressed the need for people to continue to go to work where they can.