In the Altai Territory, the situation on the roads has begun to stabilize as two of the four snowstorm–closure routes have been cleared for traffic. The information comes from the Telegram channel of the Regional branch of the Ministry of Emergencies, which has been actively monitoring the conditions and coordinating the response. Authorities note that the reopening of these routes follows careful assessments of road safety, snow removal progress, and ongoing weather forecasts that influence when higher traffic volumes can be safely accommodated.
At present, two highway sections remain closed. The K-03 highway stretches from the city of Zmeinogorsk to Rubtsovsk, and the K-09 highway runs from the Kurya settlement toward the border with Kazakhstan. In both cases, crews are continuing to work to clear snow, check for any underlying damage to the roadway, and restore normal traffic flow as soon as conditions allow. Travelers are urged to monitor official updates as work continues and weather patterns evolve, with safety remaining the top priority for road users and emergency responders.
Efforts to restore mobility have yielded positive results on other corridors. A 7-kilometer segment of the Rubtsovsk–Uglovskoye–Mikhailovskoye route has been reopened, and the A-322 highway has seen partial recovery with traffic allowed along stretches up to 47 kilometers in length, including the segment from the village of Pospelikha to Veseloyarsk. These openings provide critical links for regional transport, enabling essential goods movement, access to services, and travel for residents and visitors. Crews continue to advance snow clearance and surface maintenance on adjacent sections to gradually extend the available corridors.
In another part of the region, conditions on Sakhalin have caused disruptions as well. Local authorities report traffic congestion on several roads attributable to the ongoing snowstorm. Drivers are advised to plan for slower speeds, allow extra travel time, and follow channel alerts for any changes in lane usage or detours that may arise from worsening weather.
From the outset of the snow events, the ministry has prioritized safe and reliable transportation. Bus services were suspended on 11 routes as a precaution to prevent stranded passengers and to ensure that emergency crews could move freely and respond to incidents. This decision aims to minimize risk to the public while road teams perform essential clearing work along major corridors that sustain regional and intercity connections.
The scale of the response reflects the size of the task. More than 190 units of road equipment—snowplows, graders, and other machinery—are actively deployed, supported by a workforce of about 116 technicians, engineers, and drivers. Despite this, some areas continue to face difficulties due to persistent high winds and heavy snowfall, which can hamper visibility and complicate equipment operations. The ongoing weather conditions require close coordination between road authorities, weather services, and emergency response teams to adapt plans in real time and maintain safe passage where possible.
In an example of how weather can impact travel plans beyond the region, a plane that had been en route from Dubai to Yekaterinburg diverted to another airport location because of the snowstorm. This incident underlines the broader reach of adverse winter weather and the importance of flexible scheduling and robust contingency arrangements for air travel during such periods.