Winter Storm Paralyzes Far East Russia's Sakhalin
A powerful winter storm prompted authorities in Far East Russia’s Sakhalin region to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday.
“Due to the extremely bad weather conditions in southern Sakhalin, a state of emergency has been declared,” Sakhalin region Governor Valery Limarenko said.
“All emergency services are working round the clock” to clear roads and walkways, he added.
Regional authorities urged businesses to have their employees work from home during the blizzard, which started blanketing the region — more than 6,000 kilometers east of Moscow — on Tuesday night.
The storm paralyzed the public transportation system in the regional capital of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and major roadways were made inaccessible.
Videos shared on social media showed residents trying to shovel snowdrifts that reached above their shoulders, while tractors equipped with plows could be seen stuck on city streets inundated with snow.
“Due to the extremely bad weather conditions in southern Sakhalin, a state of emergency has been declared,” Sakhalin region Governor Valery Limarenko said.
“All emergency services are working round the clock” to clear roads and walkways, he added.
Regional authorities urged businesses to have their employees work from home during the blizzard, which started blanketing the region — more than 6,000 kilometers east of Moscow — on Tuesday night.
The storm paralyzed the public transportation system in the regional capital of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and major roadways were made inaccessible.
Videos shared on social media showed residents trying to shovel snowdrifts that reached above their shoulders, while tractors equipped with plows could be seen stuck on city streets inundated with snow.
A man walks his dog in the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk during the blizzard.
Viktor Titov / Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Official / VK
A minibus buried in the snow.
Nikolai Mikhalchenko / TASS
A snowdrift covers the window of a Sakhalin resident.
Sakhalin and Kurils / VK
Dog walkers brave the blizzard.
Alexander Ponomarev / Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Official / VK
A snowdrift where someone has written the Russian word for "exit."
Sakhalin / VK
Residents of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk go about their daily errands rain or shine — or blizzard.
Alexander Ponomarev / Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Official / VK
Snowdrifts transform the landscape between apartment blocks in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Sakhalin / VK
A car buried in snow.
Sakhalin and Kurils / VK
A person shoveling snow.
Viktor Titov / Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Official / VK
A construction vehicle plows the streets of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Viktor Titov / Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Official / VK
People walking outside during Wednesday's blizzard.
Viktor Titov / Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Official / VK
A snow-covered window.
Sakhalin and Kurils / VK
