Kamchatka Peninsula Declares Emergency Amid Decades-Worst Snowstorm

Unprecedented Snowfall Grips Kamchatka

The Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East is currently experiencing an extreme snowstorm, described as the worst in decades and, by some accounts, the heaviest snowfall in over 140 years. The relentless winter weather has led to a declared state of emergency across the region, severely disrupting daily life and infrastructure.

Snowfall began in December 2025, with the regional capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, receiving more than three times its monthly average. The intensity escalated from January 1 to 16, 2026, with the city recording 163 millimeters of snow, and average snow depths reaching 170 centimeters (approximately 5.5 feet). In many areas, snow depths have exceeded two meters (6.5 feet), with drifts reported to be between 10 and 40 feet (3 to 12 meters) high, engulfing entire neighborhoods and reaching the fourth floor of buildings.

Widespread Disruption and Fatalities Reported

The extreme weather has brought the region to a near standstill. On January 15, 2026, Mayor Yevgeny Belyayev of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky declared a citywide emergency. The storm has resulted in significant disruptions:

• Transportation Paralysis: Roads are blocked, public transportation has been suspended, and flights have been cancelled or disrupted. Numerous vehicles are completely buried under snow.
• Daily Life Severely Affected: Residents are snowed into their homes, with many forced to dig tunnels or exit through second-story windows. Schools and universities have either closed or shifted to online learning.
• Supply Shortages: Local stores are reporting shortages of essential goods such as bread, milk, and eggs due to blocked delivery routes.
• Fatalities: Tragically, at least two people have died after snow and ice masses collapsed from rooftops.

Emergency Response and Safety Warnings

Authorities have mobilized a comprehensive response to the crisis. Rescue teams, student battalions, volunteers, and military units, including submarines, are actively involved in clearing snow and assisting trapped residents. The Russian National Guard has been deployed to evacuate residents within the city.

Officials have issued stern warnings regarding safety, urging residents to exercise extreme caution. Mayor Belyayev criticized property management companies for failing to clear rooftops promptly, attributing some of the dangers to their inaction. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has cautioned against jumping into high snowdrifts, warning of hidden dangers like buried vehicles or sharp objects. The severe conditions are attributed to persistent low-pressure systems over the Sea of Okhotsk, which have continuously brought moisture and snow inland.