In the Rostov region, a coordinated evacuation effort moved 51 people away from a snowbound stretch along the Don highway, a situation confirmed by the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia. The operation involved orderly extraction, temporary lodging, and sustained oversight to ensure the safety of those affected as harsh winter conditions persisted, affecting travel and daily life in nearby communities.
According to the Ministry of Emergencies, eight fixed heating and feeding points have been established to serve the survivors, while seven temporary shelters have been opened to accommodate 56 children and 115 adults who needed a safe, warm place and basic sustenance during the disruption. Nine additional shelters are on standby, ready to accept more evacuees if needed. Food supplies are being delivered to the emergency zone by snowmobiles, and fuel is being transported with heavy-duty equipment to maintain operations and heating for evacuees and relief workers alike.
Response teams continue road clearance using bulldozers to reopen the route. Five barrier fences were removed to improve maneuverability for equipment and personnel, helping to accelerate the clearing process and reduce the time evacuees spend in vulnerable conditions. The ongoing efforts emphasize safety in motion and the need to protect vulnerable travelers during adverse weather.
The Rostov region experienced persistent snowy rainfall that began overnight and hardened into dense snow, creating significant travel challenges. A traffic buildup emerged along the M-4 Don highway, with blocks appearing at intervals of about every 60 kilometers as vehicles queued in the cold. In the Kamensky district segment of the highway, traffic halted entirely at times as responders and engineers worked to clear the roadway and restore safer passage for the traveling public.
Earlier reports indicated that the congestion on the M-4 Don highway near Rostov-on-Don had eased somewhat, with the queue length reduced to around 30 kilometers as clearing efforts progressed. Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions, coordinate shelter and fuel supplies, and manage the safe movement of evacuees and essential services as the situation evolves and road conditions improve, aiming to restore normal traffic flow and provide timely assistance to those affected by this winter event.