Temperatures in Moscow are set to drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius next week with the lowest temperature of minus 24 C projected for Monday night.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Emergency Situations told the Interfax news agency there may be a spike in household fires as a result of faulty heating equipment.
The lowest temperature ever recorded in Moscow was minus 42.2 C on Jan. 17 1940, according to the state-run TASS news agency. The lowest temperature recorded last winter was minus 29.8 C, the agency said.
Several weeks ago, a temperature of minus 69 C was recorded in the Sakha republic in northeast Russia. Unfazed locals reportedly joined in the traditional icy plunge on the eve of the Epiphany on Jan. 19.
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