Nearly 3,000 people and over 500 units of equipment were involved in clearing snow in the Vitebsk region.

On January 25, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Almost 3 thousand people and over 500 units of equipment were involved in the Vitebsk region in clearing roads, approaches to buildings, structures and water supply sources from snow over the past day, the Vitebsk Regional Emergency Management Department informed a BELTA correspondent. In pursuance of the order of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee "On taking measures to prevent negative consequences of natural phenomena" and the telegram of the Council of Ministers, authorities, regional emergency management departments, organizations and enterprises of the region are carrying out a set of measures to prevent emergencies, deaths and injuries of people, to prevent disruptions in the operation of life support facilities for the population and public transport, and to ensure the normal functioning of social facilities. Thus, on January 24, 2,924 people and 512 units of equipment were involved in clearing public roads, approaches to buildings, structures and water supply sources from snow. Measures are being taken to clean the roofs of residential buildings, buildings and structures from icicles, snow and ice. Special attention is paid to preschool institutions, schools, social and production facilities. Emergency and duty dispatch services have been strengthened, and additional mobile teams have been created. Two mobile boiler houses in Vitebsk and Glubokoye, and 241 autonomous power sources have been made ready. To prevent road traffic accidents in areas with snowdrifts, the "Weather" plan has been introduced, and the personnel of the traffic police department of the internal affairs directorate of the regional executive committee have been transferred to an enhanced duty regime. The involvement of truck cranes from organizations and enterprises has been organized to evacuate vehicles involved in road traffic accidents under adverse weather conditions. Emergency management units located near highways, in cooperation with the traffic police, provide assistance to drivers in case of vehicle malfunctions on the roads. Taking into account the worsening weather conditions, work has been organized to provide medical assistance to the population, and a reserve of ambulance teams and medical personnel has been provided for home visits to patients. A total of 124 ambulance teams work daily in the region. A reserve of 30 teams is provided, including four teams in Vitebsk, two teams each in Orsha, Polotsk, Novopolotsk, and one team in each district center.

Due to heavy precipitation, a large amount of snow has accumulated on the roofs of buildings and private houses, posing a threat of collapse. Heads of enterprises and organizations, as well as owners of private properties, are urged to observe personal safety measures and promptly clear snow and icicles from building roofs to prevent accidents, as noted by the Vitebsk Regional Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. It is also necessary to clear yards, roads, and access routes to ensure unimpeded operation of emergency services and special equipment in case of emergencies. According to the Vitebsk Regional Center for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, the snow depth across the region as of January 25th is 14-28 cm. The largest amount of snow fell in Vitebsk and Polotsk, where the snow depth reaches 28 cm and 27 cm respectively. Although these figures for the third decade of January are higher than the average long-term observations, they are far from records. For instance, on January 25, 1986, the snow depth reached 55 cm, and on January 25, 2011, it was 46 cm. In the near future, according to weather forecasters, residents of the region will enjoy winter in its classic form – with snow and frost. A Siberian anticyclone will bring night frosts down to minus 20 degrees Celsius, and during the day, the thermometer will drop to minus 9-14 degrees Celsius. -0-

BELTA