Voronezh readies warming shelters, school closures for frost

Alexander Gusev, head of the Voronezh Region, held a meeting on preparing the region for the weather extreme expected in the coming days. On Saturday morning, January 31, Voronezh was already gripped by snowfall, and soon forecasters predict phenomenal frosts down to -30°C (-22°F). According to the governor, he warned responsible officials that «the upcoming bad weather is a test of their professional suitability. If they fail it, appropriate organizational conclusions will follow.» The quote should be framed and hung on the door of every «person»s« office.

The governor set maintaining order on the roads as a key task for the leadership of Voronezh and other municipalities: to prevent a transportation collapse and ensure that settlements are not blocked by snowdrifts.

«The necessary equipment is available,» declared Alexander Gusev. «On days of critical temperatures, it will be warmed up around the clock to keep it operational. Transport operators must also monitor public transport to ensure buses do not go off their routes.»

On highways, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) will deploy warming points if necessary. In rural areas, rescuers will patrol streets and yards to ensure that lonely elderly people and those with health issues are not left without help. Moreover, the governor did not rule out canceling classes in schools across the entire Voronezh Region if the frosty extreme indeed occurs over the weekend. Residents will be notified additionally. Meanwhile, kindergartens will still operate, but during abnormal cold, parents are advised to keep young children at home.

Earlier, canceling school lessons due to bad weather was not ruled out by Voronezh Mayor Sergey Petrin. And Alexander Sysoev, a deputy from «United Russia,» advised city residents to «get off their backsides» and go with shovels to the utility workers — not for what you might think, but to help them clear snow. Meanwhile, prosecutors in the work of these very utility workers — and officials too — are finding violations by the bucketful. And all this while winter has only been warming up so far.