A strong blizzard and stormy winds with gusts of up to 27 meters per second caused complete chaos on the roads, writes RIA Novosti.
Chaos on the roads
The governor of the region, Roman Busargin, confirmed on his Telegram channel that restrictions due to snow drifts and traffic accidents are still in force on sections of six federal highways.
With Russia’s nationwide funds for road maintenance being cut -40% every year since the start of the war, disasters continue to plague the country’s highways.
Today in Saratov, a calamity of epic level as accidents turned into a miles long caravan of stranded motorists now… pic.twitter.com/iDF75KOCz8
— Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) December 14, 2025
“Members of the rescue services and machinery are working on each of them. Citizens, with their consent, are evacuated to centers for temporary accommodation, and fuel delivery is also organized. Thus, 148 people, including 34 children, were evacuated in the Engelska district, near the village of Bezimjannoje. On another nine road sections, work has already been completed and traffic has been established,” said Busargin.
In addition to the traffic collapse, the storm also caused great material damage. Due to strong winds and fallen trees, transmission lines were damaged, and as many as 205 settlements were left without electricity. Electricity distribution teams, a total of 59 teams in the field, are working to eliminate faults. The governor added that damage to the roofs of several schools, hospitals and residential buildings was also recorded.
Almost 1,500 machines were used to clean the roads and streets, and 18,000 tons of sand and salt mixture were used in less than 24 hours.
Because of the blizzard, restrictions were imposed on trucks and buses on five federal highways. All emergency and utility services, as well as authorities at all levels, are working continuously to clean up the consequences, while the operational headquarters is still active, confirmed the governor.
(Vijesti.ba)
