Dear citizens! The FSBI "Department for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring of the Republic of Tatarstan" has issued: Consultation – warning about the intensity of meteorological phenomena from 18:00 on January 4 to 09:00 on January 5, 2026. During the night and morning of January 5, 2026, in the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan and in Kazan, local occurrences are expected: - blizzard with reduced visibility down to 1,000 meters or less; - strong southwesterly winds with gusts of 15–20 m/s (in Kazan 15–17 m/s); - icy roads and continuing snow drifts. The Main Directorate of the Russian EMERCOM for the Republic of Tatarstan recommends: When the wind strengthens: 1. We recommend limiting time spent outside buildings; remain indoors. It is important not to leave children unattended. 2. If a strong wind catches you outdoors, seek shelter in underground pedestrian crossings or building entranceways. Do not hide from strong winds near the walls of buildings, as roofing slate and other roofing materials may fall from roofs. The same applies to public transport stops and unfinished buildings. 3. Outdoors, keep away from billboards, signs, road signs, and power lines. 4. Do not stay near large trees, and do not park vehicles near them – wind-torn branches can be very dangerous. 5. It is deadly dangerous during strong winds to stand under power lines or to approach broken power wires. 6. Blown-out glass falling from upper-floor windows, as well as roofing elements and stucco decorations torn off by the wind, can be hazardous. This threat increases near buildings under construction or repair. 7. All windows of buildings must be tightly closed; remove from balconies and loggias any items that could fall outside. 8. Stay as far away from windows as possible in residential or work premises. How to act during a severe blizzard Only in exceptional cases go outside. Do not go out alone. Inform family members or neighbors where you are going and when you will return. In a car, travel only on main roads and highways. When leaving the vehicle do not move out of its visible range. If stopped on the road, give an alarm signal with intermittent horn blasts, raise the hood or hang a bright cloth on the antenna, and wait for help in the vehicle. You may leave the engine running, slightly opening a window to ensure ventilation and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you become disoriented while walking outside of a populated area, enter the first house you come to, clarify your location and, if possible, wait out the blizzard. If you are losing strength, look for shelter and remain in it. Be vigilant and cautious in contacts with unfamiliar people, as the number of thefts from cars, apartments and workplaces sharply increases during natural disasters. If in conditions of heavy drifts you find yourself blocked inside a building, calmly and without panic check whether you can get out of the drifts yourself (using available tools and improvised means). Report to the civil defense and emergency situations office or to the local administration about the nature of the drifts and whether they can be cleared independently. If you cannot clear the snow drift on your own, try to establish contact with rescue units. Turn on a radio receiver (television) and follow the instructions of local authorities. Take measures to conserve heat and ration food supplies. Drivers Drivers, especially those planning long trips, should pay special attention to the technical condition of their vehicle. Check the weather forecast for the next day or two, depending on the time of travel. Before a long journey in cold weather, take care in advance to insulate the vehicle. Before driving, check the engine and battery, stock up on fuel, and add quality antifreeze. It is important not to refuel at unverified gas stations, as poor-quality fuel can cause serious problems. Be sure to have warm clothing and provisions, and do not forget a charger for your mobile phone. Check for a pump, tow rope, wheel nut wrench and jack Before departure, check that you have a pump, tow rope, wheel nut wrench and jack. It is also worth throwing a set of jumper cables into the trunk. If funds allow, it is useful to have a starter/charger based on a compact lithium battery. Emergency kit The emergency kit should contain: a mobile phone charger and spare battery, warm clothes and blankets, a brush for removing snow and ice from the windshield, a small shovel to free wheels from snow if necessary; a handheld flashlight and spare batteries, a first aid kit, food and drink, an axe and a folding saw, a pack of solid fuel, a lighter, a mini-stove and a small pot. Inform others of your exact route and estimated time of arrival Before the trip, inform family members, neighbors or friends of your exact route and estimated time of return. If misfortune occurs on the road, use modern means of communication – this significantly speeds up the response of rescue units. When contacting rescuers, indicate your location, distinctive local features, the number of people in the vehicle, ages, whether there are sick people or children, and be sure to provide your and your relatives’ contact phone numbers. Take measures to conserve battery power. If a breakdown occurs on the road Place warning markers in front of and behind the vehicle; these can be a cut tree or any conspicuous items. If the engine is running, slightly open a window to ensure ventilation and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. For a long stop or overnight stay, park the vehicle facing into the wind so that exhaust gases do not enter slightly open windows of the cab or passenger compartment. For your own safety, periodically check wind direction. It is also important to ensure that the exhaust pipe does not become blocked by ice and is not buried by snow. If the vehicle breaks down, do not panic; call the unified emergency operational services number "101", report your problem and give your coordinates. Take measures to conserve heat and ration available food supplies. Try to stock up on firewood; if unavailable, you can burn combustible materials – there are usually plenty of them. In icy conditions Prepare slip-resistant footwear. Move cautiously and without hurry, stepping with the whole sole and taking into account surface irregularities. Elderly people are advised to use a cane with a rubber tip or a special stick with sharpened spikes. If you slip, sit down to reduce the height of the fall. Icy conditions pose a serious danger to all road users. Drivers should avoid sudden braking: if stopping is necessary, reduce speed smoothly. When braking, press the brake pedal several times to signal drivers behind you. Pay attention to the technical condition of the vehicle, especially the braking system, and the condition of the tires. All lights must be in working order. Use a high-visibility vest when stopped. If possible, refuse long-distance trips. Pedestrians are recommended to cross streets only at marked pedestrian crossings. Do not run across a road in front of moving traffic, as braking distance is greatly increased on slippery roads. Walk facing the direction of oncoming traffic. Use a high-visibility vest or attach reflective elements to your clothing. Drivers: 1. When driving in these conditions, avoid unnecessary lane changes, overtaking and passing; 2. Pay attention to the vehicle’s technical condition, especially the braking system and tires; 3. Avoid sudden braking; if stopping is necessary, reduce speed smoothly; 4. Press the brake pedal several times to signal drivers behind you; 5. All lights must be in working order; 6. Travel at a speed that ensures safety in areas with heavy traffic, near schools, at intersections and bridges, as well as on curves and descents. Pedestrians are recommended to: 1. Be extremely attentive when crossing streets and roads; 2. Cross the street only at marked pedestrian crossings, remembering that due to poor visibility and slippery roads drivers need more time to stop; 3. Use, if possible, only overhead or underground pedestrian crossings to cross carriageways; 4. Do not run across a road in front of moving traffic; 5. Walk facing oncoming traffic; 6. Use a high-visibility vest or attach reflective elements to clothing. If possible, avoid trips and forego long walks in nature. Photo from the archive. In case of any emergency you can always call the single emergency number – "112". Calls are accepted around the clock and are free from landline and mobile phones.