24 January 2009, 16:00
45 persons rescued from snowdrifts in Dagestan
An operation of rescuing people from snowdrifts has been carried out in Dagestan. 45 persons have been rescued.
On Saturday night, January 24, 12 cars carrying 45 persons were jammed in the snow during a heavy snow storm at Kharib pass of the Khasaviurt-Tlokh highway in Dagestan.
A fast reaction unit of Dagestan ministry of emergencies and rescue teams arrived to the place to remove the snow, reports the RIA "Novosti".
The sources at the Southern regional center of the ministry of emergencies report that none of the persons rescued from the snowdrift needed medical aid.
According to the ministry of emergencies data, 200-235 cases of natural disasters, 25-35 % more than in the previous year, are forecast for 2009 in Russia. High probability of snow slides in the Southern federal region is forecast.
