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Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko: Thank God for Snow!

Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko has urged his countrymen to thank the heavens for the cyclone that has swept through the country.

"We should thank God for sending us this phenomenon. I think farmers or those who work in nature could tell you more about this," he said, according to the lenta.ru news website.

Lukashenko said a lack of rainfall last year had caused rivers and lakes to dry up. The more snow, the faster an "ecological balance" would be restored, he said.

"God willing, we'll have three to four cyclones passing over our country," he was cited as saying.

Cyclone Daniella has engulfed Belarus in heavy snow, causing transport problems and power cuts.

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