Emergency Warning Issued in Zabaykalsky Krai Over Severe Frosts

An emergency warning has been issued in Zabaykalsky Krai due to a cold spell expected on 21–23 January in the western districts, the regional emergency ministry«s (EMERCOM) department reported in the messenger MAX.

Severe frosts down to minus 45 degrees Celsius (minus 49°F) and lower are forecast for the western areas of the region.

In this regard, the department recommends wearing warm clothing and footwear, keeping moving rather than standing still in the cold, and using nearby premises like shops and residential building entrances for warmth.

In case of emergencies, call the unified emergency services number 112 or 101.

The most severe January frosts were initially expected in Zabaykalsky in the last week of the month. However, the cold arrived already on the 12th — in most districts, air temperatures at night reached -35…-40 °C (-31…-40 °F), with frosts intensifying to -48 °C (-54°F) in northern areas.

Residents of the region shared photos of thermometers on 13 January. In some places, the temperature dropped to -50 °C (-58°F).

Parents can decide for themselves whether to send their child to school in severe frosts. However, benchmark temperatures to guide such decisions have still been announced.