AJ
Some properties of Belgorod had been experiencing issues with heating and power for more than six days, as Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov noted the situation at the Belgorod Power Plant was serious.
Those properties that were reconnected had issues with burst pipes and water flooding into their homes, while others who have had no water are turning to melting snow on a hob, and those without heat are warming bricks in ovens.
Last night there was a complete blackout in multiple neighbourhoods of Belgorod, due to a power substation failure at Belgorod on Storozhevaya Street, which was related to repairs and nothing to do with Ukraine.
However, Gladkov confirmed that 220,000 subscribers were left without electricity, as rescuers scrambled to restore the supply to residents as soon as possible, noting the blackout mainly affected the municipalities of Belgorod, Belgorodsky, and Shebekinsky districts.
Heating also disappeared during the blackout, with radiators beginning to cool in the districts, and while lights came on in some houses, they soon went out again.
Mayor of Belgorod Valentin Demidov clarified that 1,300 multi-apartment buildings were disconnected from electricity, and more than 1,600 elevators had stopped working, leaving people trapped and in need of rescue.
Gladkov later added that water supply was fully restored to the homes, but disruptions were still possible, while noting that 117 people had been trapped in elevators and were in need of rescue, and 30,000 residents remained without electricity overnight.
Residents were still struggling to get any electricity this morning, while according to residents, a school and a kindergarten in the microdistrict were also without power and not connected to backup generators, noting that the emergency services have postponed the restoration of the electricity supply for the fourth time.
Mayor Demidov responded saying that restoration work was ongoing, as the housing management company told people that the Emergency Headquarters has not been given the appropriate order to start the generators, which are located in their courtyards, because without it they or the power company have a right to turn them on.
