During the Christmas holidays both the northern and southern Caucasus, as well as the south of Russia were at the mercy of the elements: abnormal frosts and snowfall impeded the people of Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan from celebrating the New Year.
All essential services are working in intensified mode in Sochi due to the snow and cold weather. According to meteorologists, the current weather is to continue even during the next day.
"At the moment the situation is stable. There are no broken wires or power outages, the gas and water supplies have been fixed. 84 federal combined road vehicles were involved in cleaning snow from highways," the press service of the administration of the resort informed.
5 graders, 3 combined road machines, 1 bulldozer, 4 tractors, 2 excavators and 4 loaders were involved in cleaning snow from regional roads. Municipal roads are being cleared by district administrations. About 40 units of special equipment are involved there.
"As for public transport, the situation is also stable at the moment. Some difficulties were fixed in the morning in some parts of township roads, connected with the clearing of roads. Now all buses are operating in normal mode,’’ UGA cites the service.
The Bowl of the Olympic Flame located in the Imereti lowlands also went unlit due to heavy snow. The time of the resumption of its work is not known yet. It depends on weather conditions.
There is a weak avalanche danger in mountainous areas such as Krasnaya Polyana. Rescuers ask residents and visitors of Sochi not to forget about vigilance and cautionary measures.
According to an emergency warning spread in the Kuban region, the temperature of the air in some districts could drop to minus 15 degrees during the day and minus 25 at night.
The Solenoye Lake froze over for the first time in many years due to weather conditions, press service of the city administration stated.
In Crimea, rescuers launched mobile and stationary heating points, the press service of the regional emergency department Russia reported. "Citizens cannot only warm themselves here, but also receive all the necessary help. If it is necessary, an ambulance brigade could be immediately called,’’ EMERCOM reported.
