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Bad weather conditions delay traffic in Southern Siberia

Bad weather conditions have caused delays on motorways and airports in the Irkutsk region, where regional and federal motorways were blockaded and flights cancelled

MOSCOW, October 31 (Itar-Tass) —— Bad weather conditions have caused delays on motorways and airports in the Irkutsk region, where regional and federal motorways were blockaded and flights cancelled, the press service of the regional department for emergency situations told Itar-Tass on Monday.

Because of bad weather all the departures from the inter-municipal transport terminals have been delayed. Motorways of regional and federal importance have been closed, including M-55 (Irkutsk-Chita) and M-53 (Irkutsk-Krasnoyarsk) motorways, the same source said. All the transport vehicles that had left before these motorways were closed are on the way to the destination. No incidents have been reported yet.

Passengers booked for transport vehicles delayed indefinitely are staying inside the building of the transport terminal, which has a waiting room, a mother-and-child room, a luggage room and a cafe.

The head department of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Irkutsk region has asked the population to refrain from trips to long distances and observe safety rules in connection with bad weather conditions.

A heavy cyclone which hit the southern territory of the Baikal region paralyzed passenger transport on all the motorways, including the Baikal federal motorway. Until 1.00 pm local time traffic had been closed on the Alexandrovsky, Kachugsky, Baikal motorways and on M-55 (Irkutsk-Chita) motorway. Afterwards, the regional traffic police department reported that M-53 motorway (Irkutsk-Krasnoyarsk) was closed as well, Itar-Tass was told by the administration of the international transport terminal.

Irkutsk international airport has cancelled five incoming and two departing flights. Because of repairs on the runway Irkutsk international airport is open to An-24, An-26 and Yak-40 planes in the daytime only.

Flights due to arrive in Irkutsk from Ust-Kut, Lensk, Ulan-Ude, Kirensk airports and depart from Irkutsk to Bratsk, Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk were cancelled.

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