Emergency mode was introduced in the Southern Kuril Islands due to a powerful cyclone

An emergency regime has been introduced in the South Kuril region of the Sakhalin Region due to the action of a powerful cyclone. The regional government announced this in its Telegram channel on Monday, December 15.

"Kunashir and Shikotan will remain at the mercy of bad weather, approximately, for another day. Emergency mode has been introduced. The situation is under the control of the government of the Sakhalin Region," the message says.

According to SakhalinMedia news agency, a powerful cyclone hit the area on the night of December 15. Heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds of 39 m/s left five settlements without electricity, including Yuzhno-Kurilsk, and damaged the roofs and facades of dozens of apartment buildings.

20 power transmission poles were damaged, and cellular communications were disrupted in a number of settlements. The situation has not affected the supply of water and heat, the boiler houses operate from backup sources, the authorities say.

The students have been transferred to distance learning. Stocks of medicines, food and basic necessities have been formed. All emergency services are on high alert. Restoration work continues.

It is assumed that on December 16-17, the Okhinsky and Nogliki municipal districts, as well as partially the territories of the Tymovsky and Alexandrovsk-Sakhalinsky districts, will be affected by the cyclone. Bus traffic between Okha and Nogliki has been temporarily suspended due to the predicted snowstorm.

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