A powerful snowstorm battered Russias Far East Kamchatka Peninsula, bringing travel to a halt and triggering avalanche warnings in the mountainous region.Between Sunday afternoon and Monday night, meteorologists reported that 60% of the regions average monthly snowfall blanketed the capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, with winds reaching speeds of 23 meters per second (51.4 miles per hour).The storm grounded domestic flights until at least Tuesday and paralyzed municipal transportation.
Emergency Situations Ministry vehicles replaced some of the citys buses as authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and advised employers to allow remote work.Some locals, however, refused to let the extreme weather dictate their plans.
Residents were spotted navigating the snow-covered streets on snowmobiles and snowboards while at least one defiant cyclist braved the storm in a t-shirt and shorts.Universities and kindergartens suspended classes, though schools were already on break.The Emergency Situations Ministry said its snow removal vehicles were blocked by abandoned cars, complicating cleanup efforts.
In one case, rescue crews saved four men who nearly froze overnight while attempting to dig their vehicles out of the snow.Meteorologists warned that the blizzards would continue moving north across the Kamchatka Peninsula on Monday.