Motorists were trapped for several hours in a traffic jam on the snow-covered Baikal Highway in southern Siberia, regional authorities reported on Monday.
The congestion was a result of three days of harsh weather, featuring temperatures around minus 30 degrees Celsius (minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit), heavy snowfall, and strong winds, according to the federal road agency Rosavtodor.
Traffic conditions worsened after several truck drivers breached traffic regulations, leading to accidents that exacerbated the blockage on the highway, a spokesperson for Rosavtodor told local news outlets.
At its worst, the traffic jam extended approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) along the southwestern edge of Lake Baikal, with reports indicating that some families, including children, were running out of food, water, and fuel.
Irkutsk region Governor Igor Kobzev announced that emergency services had set up a mobile warming and food station, along with six permanent heating locations and three fuel supply points along the route.
Less than an hour after Rosavtodor cautioned about ongoing dangerous road conditions, Kobzev mentioned that the traffic jam had been cleared by around 4 p.m. local time.
The Baikal Highway, a part of the Trans-Siberian route, connects the Irkutsk region with the Republic of Buryatia and the Zabaikalsky region.
Officials from Rosavtodor warned that temperatures below minus 30 degrees Celsius are expected to persist through Tuesday.
