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Snowfall interrupts Kamchatka-mainland air traffic

Work is under way to clear the runway from snowdrifts

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, December 24 (Itar-Tass) — Snowfall has interrupted air traffic between the Kamchatka Peninsula and the mainland. The airport of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky has been closed until 15:00 on Monday. Work is under way to clear the runway from snowdrifts, a source at the air traffic control office has told Itar-Tass.

According to the Kamchatka hydrometeocenter, the southern areas of Kamchatka are under the impact of a powerful snow-carrying cyclone that came to the Peninsula on the night from Sunday to Monday from Japanese shores. Gusts of wind with a velocity of up to 40 metres per second were recorded in the Peninsula's southernmost areas.

In Petropovalovsk-Kamchatsky, Yelizovo, and Ust-Bolsheretsk Districts, wind velocity was up to 20-25 m/s. In mountain areas, avalance hazard has increased due to large amounts of snow. The hazard will persist until December 26, the Kamchatka avalanche control center reported.

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