The winter is quite harsh. In Omsk, the thirty degrees of frost made water pipes burst. The central streets got covered in ice. Several local houses and office blocks were left without water. By this time, maintenance teams have managed to restore the water supply.
Today, two people died in Japan due to the heavy snowfall. 16 people got injured. In some Japanese districts, the height of the snow cover has reached 60 cm. The public transport that's usually so punctual is now working intermittently.
In Yakutia, extreme frost shocked even the accustomed locals. It's -62 in Oymyakon. A bone-chilling story.
Vladimir Suzdalov with the details.
Today, the lowest temperature was observed in the northern part of the region. It's -55 at the pole of cold in Oymyakon. Blistering temperatures have reached Yakutsk.
Oymyakon citizens:
"I'm used to a temperature like that. Twenty or fifteen years ago, it was -58 here. It's not that cold now I'm not even shivering".
"We're not cold. I've got warm pants and a warm fur coat. My kid's dressed the same. And the heat of our souls warms us from the inside".
The weather had an impact on the academic activities: school has been canceled and classrooms are empty. Students receive their assignments via Internet.
Lena Burnasheva, vice-principal: "On the days like that we don't interrupt the teaching process and continue it remotely".
Traffic is in a complex situation as well. During these days, the risk of traffic accidents increases dramatically. It's foggy outside drivers have to slow down and keep their distance. Cold weather is set to continue. And the temperature will sink even lower.
German Arbugayev: "Come get your breakfast!"
Domestic animals have a hard time adapting to the cold as well. Biologist German Arbugayev is trying to feed his pets the best way he can.
German Arbugayev, zoologist: "They must be well-fed. So we're feeding them cabbage mixed with compound feedstuff".
The temperature in the north-east of Yakutia is expected to drop to -62. All emergency services are getting ready to respond to a distress call.
Said Aisedulin, head of the Yakut Emergency Center GU MChS: "Our helicopter team and the local firefighter garrison are ready to respond to an emergency".
All welfare, energy, and communications facilities are in a state of high alert.
Vladimir Suzdalov and Vasily Solovyev Vesti, Yakutia
