Kamchatka Grapples with Record Snowfall, Emergency Declared

Unprecedented Snowfall Buries Kamchatka

The Russian Federation's remote Kamchatka Peninsula is currently facing a severe winter crisis, as record-breaking snowfall has paralyzed the region, burying neighborhoods and severely impeding essential services. The regional capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, declared a citywide state of emergency on January 15, 2026, in response to the extreme weather conditions.

Meteorological data indicates that the current snowfall levels are among the highest in decades, with some sources reporting the heaviest snowfall in Russia in 130 years and in Kamchatka in over 50 years, since the 1970s. In December, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky received triple its monthly average snowfall, followed by 150% more than the monthly average in the first two weeks of January. Snowdrifts in certain neighborhoods have reportedly reached heights of up to five meters (16 feet), with some reports indicating accumulations between 10 and 40 feet (3 to 12 meters), engulfing cars and blocking building entrances.

Widespread Disruption and Fatalities

The extreme weather has brought daily life to a standstill across the peninsula. Transportation systems are paralyzed, with roads blocked, flights canceled, and public transit suspended. Emergency services, including ambulances and firetrucks, have faced significant challenges in navigating the unplowed roads. Residents have reported power and water outages in some areas, and smaller shops have experienced shortages of essential goods such as bread, milk, and eggs.

Tragically, the severe conditions have led to fatalities. At least two men in their 60s died in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky after being struck by snow falling from rooftops. The city's Mayor, Yevgeny Belyayev, attributed these deaths to property management companies failing to promptly clear snow from roofs. Schools and colleges in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky have been closed, with many switching to remote learning.

Moscow's Assistance and Ongoing Efforts

In response to the escalating crisis, local authorities have appealed to Moscow for assistance. Kamchatka region Governor Vladimir Solodov acknowledged the region's insufficient snow-removal equipment and described the situation on the roads as 'critical'. Russia's Defense Ministry has dispatched an An-124 Ruslan cargo aircraft, one of the world's largest operating cargo planes, to deliver heavy snow-removal equipment to the region.

Efforts to clear the snow are ongoing, with students and soldiers being deployed to assist. Governor Solodov had set a deadline of January 21 for all major roadways to be cleared and regular traffic restored. Despite the challenges, Governor Solodov stated in a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin that the situation was 'returning to normal'. However, residents continue to face difficulties, with some resorting to digging tunnels to exit their homes and relying on volunteers for food deliveries.