ROME ON ALERT FOR SECOND SNOW BLAST

ROME ON ALERT FOR SECOND SNOW BLAST

(ANSA) - Rome, February 9 - Rome was placed on a second winter-storm alert Thursday with the mayor ordering snow removal crews into place and schools and public offices to prepare for closures.

"This time we clearly understand the conditions so we are preparing better," said Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno, who has been sharply criticized for the city's response to roughly two feet of snowfall last week that brought the capital to a standstill for days.

As much as 30 centimeters of snow are expected to fall starting Friday when drivers will have to put chains on their tires in an effort to thwart a repeat of last week's massive traffic jams that trapped thousands of motorists for hours.

In the run-up to the storm, the city has increased its stock of salt and snow plows and recruited more personnel.

Rome has redoubled efforts to guarantee continued bus, metro and taxi services.

The cold snap, which experts say might last until the end of the month, has claimed over 40 lives across Italy.

Despite the inclement weather, Italy's Six Nations rugby match against England at Rome's Stadio Olimpico is expected to go on.

Organizers are setting up a heated 'Third Half' village fans of both teams.

Roughly 10,000 spectators from Britain are expected to attend.