Extreme cold in the Russian Far East
Extraordinary temperatures are recorded in Siberia. In the Yakutia region of the Russian Far East, mercury fell today to -68 degrees Celsius, after falling yesterday to -65 degrees Celsius, resulting in the closure of about 100 schools.
In Siberia, near Irkutsk, on the shores of Lake Baikal, residents and tourists are preparing to face temperatures below -56 degrees Celsius tomorrow, Friday, according to the Athens News Agency.
In Ulan-Ude, the capital of the neighboring region of Buryatia, the mercury fell to -32 degrees and is expected to continue falling in the coming days.
These extreme temperatures are taking place as Orthodox following the Julian calendar, including many Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians, prepare to celebrate the Epiphany on Thursday-Friday night by diving into icy rivers and lakes in remembrance of Iodine. .
"The cold of the Epiphany has arrived," an excited Russian Internet user wrote in a video he uploaded to Youtube, which shows him with ice on his eyelashes and hair. "Fine, but it only makes -47 degrees Celsius."
Some Russians uploaded photos and videos of their dives. "It's getting a little hotter now," one of them assured after swimming with a smile at -44 degrees in the Saha Republic (Russian Far East).
The temperature, however, remains mild in Moscow (-7 degrees Celsius) despite a blizzard that caused heavy traffic jams. More than 10.000 city officials are trying to clear the streets and sidewalks, according to the town hall, quoted by RIA Novosti.
In neighboring Belarus, where temperatures reach -5 degrees Celsius, police rescued a moose that had fallen into a small lake and was immobilized by the ice that formed around it.
"I have been patrolling the area for six years, but this is the first time I have had to save a wild animal," said Sergei Gurosko, according to a statement from local police.