LUHANSK, August 01. /ITAR-TASS/. Luhansk has been left without water or electricity in a 30-degree heat as Ukrainian army continues its security operation, the city authorities said on Friday.

The city is on the verge of a humanitarian disaster. Several electric power substations, pumping stations and telephone communication lines have been destroyed.

Over the past 24 hours, five civilians have died and another 9, including a child, were wounded.

Marat Bashirov, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic, said the city was going through hard times. Power cuts de-activate air raid warning systems and puts local hospitals in critical conditions.

“Hospitals are working on diesel generators but they are running out of fuel. I do not even want to discuss what consequences the power cuts may have in long-term perspective,” the premier went on to say.

According to weather forecasts, the heat will last for at least another seven days.

The city authorities are taking emergency measures to purify water and restore energy and water supply systems to prevent the outbreak of epidemics. They are also planning to open public canteens which will hand out box lunches.