The Russian winter is here. In Moscow the temperature has dropped 40 degrees in 12 hours, and it’s supposed to stay at – 36F (- 37C) for a few days. The temperature in some Siberian cities has not risen above negative 81 Fahrenheit for about a week, and it keeps on dropping. On average about 10 people freeze to death across the country each day, and about 100 more are seeking medical attention because of frostbite. The dead and frozen people are usually not homeless, some of them are regular professionals, who are walking home too late, swallow too much cold air, and pass out and die.
Many streets in the cities have no light and power because it’s either damaged by the cold, or the cities are saving electricity to heat homes. By the way this is one of the reasons why Russians live in condos and apartments and rarely in individual houses – it’s either virtually impossible to keep the positive temperature indoors or it would cost about $2,000 a month.
The schools are open, and it’s up to parents weather they want their children to go study. Today 1 out of 4 students chose to stay home. All emergency services are working on picking homeless children and adults and taking them to the care-centers (which will not last after the cold is gone). Police are also responsible for delivering drunk people to their homes.
Many Moscow hotels are ready to serve as emergency shelters in case of the loss of power in the apartment buildings. Right now the soil is frozen only 2 feet deep, this could change in the near future and can affect the well-insulated pipes that carry hot water to heat homes.
This is why Russians would welcome global warming.
Good luck Russia, stay warm!
Comments
Brrrrr!
I believe in fur coats!!!
Posted by: Tanya | January 17, 2006 8:44 PM
Thanks! The real winter is here. Bitterly cold but sunny. A 10-mins walk was more than refreshing. So I choose pleasant indoor activities for this week. :) Stay warm and cheerful!
Posted by: Tati | January 18, 2006 5:07 AM