Crisis Headquarters on 24-hour alert as snowfalls hit DPR

Donetsk, Feb 6 - DAN. The Donetsk People’s Republic is in a state of emergency due the worsening weather, the Republic’s Emergencies Ministry said on Thursday.

The Inter-departmental Crisis Headquarters led by DPR Emergencies Minister Alexey Kostrubitsky began round-the-clock operation.

Video communication with DPR towns and districts has been launched and a hot line (062-342-69-99, 071-342-69-99) is available to residents.

Rescuers provide help in freeing cars from snowdrifts, removing fallen trees and snow cleaning. Eighty-six people and 24 units of equipment are involved in these efforts.

DPR Emergencies Ministry forces and hardware are stand-by to quickly respond to crises.

Earlier reports said that DPR power engineers had switched to ‘intensive operation mode’ in connection with adverse weather conditions.

Snowfalls in the DPR have continued unabated since February 5. They snapped transmission lines, crushed trees and disrupted road traffic.  Meteorologists expect temperatures in the Republic to drop to minus 14 degrees Celsius later this week.*jk