Dagestan Mountain Residents Face Severe Road Congestion Issues

Residents of the mountainous regions of Dagestan are currently facing severe road congestion issues due to heavy snowfall. This adverse weather has led to power outages and blocked transport links in several villages, particularly in the Tlyaratinsky and Kurakhsky Districts.

Power Outages and Transportation Disruptions

According to reports, eleven villages in the Tlyaratinsky District alone are without electricity. In addition, repair crews are struggling to reach affected areas due to impassable roads from snowdrifts. Other regions experiencing power outages include four villages in the Derbent District and two in the Khasavyurt District.

Impacted Areas and Road Closures

• Tlyaratinsky District: Critical situation with multiple villages cut off.
• Tsuntinsky District: Highways blocked, causing major delays.
• Bezhtinsky District: Genukhsky Pass is completely closed.
• Gumbetovsky District: Inaccessibility on the Khasavyurt – Tlokh highway at Kharib Pass.
• Agulsky District: Roads Richa – Bedyuk and Goa – Fite have been closed since January 2.

Specific routes affected include three in the Tlyaratinsky District: Tlyarata – Kamilukh, Tlyarata – Kamilukh – Kardib, and Tlyarata – Gvedysh. Cleaning operations for these blocked highways are scheduled to commence at 2:00 PM Moscow time on January 2, pending better weather conditions.

Community Appeals for Help

Local residents have raised urgent appeals via social media. One message, circulated on the “Voice of Dagestan” Telegram channel, highlighted the dire situation. Residents expressed their inability to access hospitals while being cut off from communication services. As of 5:30 PM Moscow time, this post garnered over 18,000 views.

Furthermore, residents of the Tsuntinsky District have similarly voiced their frustrations. Reports indicate that numerous individuals were stranded on a federal road near the village of Shauri, with emergency services unresponsive. Drivers and locals have taken it upon themselves to clear the snow to free trapped vehicles, risking their safety in the process.

Concerns About Public Safety

As the congestion deepens, residents are increasingly worried. They fear that without timely intervention, individuals suffering medical emergencies may not receive the help they need. Appeals for governmental attention and action to address the critical road congestion and power outages have been made, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

The weather remains a significant hurdle as heavy snowfall continues across eleven districts of Dagestan. The challenges facing this region highlight the urgent need for improved infrastructure and emergency response systems during extreme weather conditions.