VOLGOGRAD, February 10 (Itar-Tass) —— Unprecedented frosts have heavily impeded communications with ten townships in the Kamyshin district of the Volgograd region, located in the lower reaches of the Volga, officials at the regional branch of Russia's Ministry for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense /EMERCOM/ told Itar-Tass.
"The population of these townships stands at 3,111 people, including 469 children," an official said, adding that EMERCOM's snow and swamp-going vehicles have to choose a long detour route to the places, the regular roads to which have been blocked by huge snow banks.
"Rescuers are bringing foodstuffs, giving assistance to those who need it, and taking sick people to hospitals in the city of Kamyshin," he said.
EMERCOM's regional branch has issued warnings in connection with abnormally severe frosts on four occasions over the past sixteen days.
Wednesday, all the life-support services in the region were put on alert.
In the meantime, weather forecasts remain bleak, as the air temperatures are likely to sink to a record low minus 34 to minus 32 C in the small hours of Friday, and in some places the frost may be as strong as minus 35 C.
Hydrometeorology services say the frosts will keep this southern region in their grips until February 13 as a minimum.