Emergency warning for January 12, 2026.

      Dear citizens! The Federal State Budgetary Institution "Office for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring of the Republic of Tatarstan" issued:

      Advisory – warning of intense meteorological phenomena

      from 18:00 on January 11 to 18:00 on January 12, 2026

      On January 12, 2026, in parts of the Republic of Tatarstan and in the city of Kazan, the following are expected:

      - at night: fog;

      - during the day: heavy snow; blizzard with visibility reduced to 1–2 km; snowdrifts.

      The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Republic of Tatarstan informs:

      How to act during a severe blizzard

      Only go outside in exceptional cases. Do not go out alone. Inform family members or neighbors where you are going and when you will return. In a vehicle, travel only on major roads and highways. When leaving the vehicle, do not move away from it beyond visual range. If you stop on the road, signal for help with intermittent horn blasts, raise the hood or hang a bright cloth on the antenna, and wait for assistance inside the vehicle. You may leave the engine running, with the window slightly open to ensure ventilation and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you lose your bearings while walking outside a settlement, enter the first house you come across, clarify your location and, if possible, wait until the blizzard subsides. If you become exhausted, seek shelter and stay in it. Be attentive and cautious when interacting with strangers, as during natural disasters the number of thefts from cars, apartments and workplaces increases sharply.

      If, due to heavy snowdrifts, you find yourself trapped in a building, carefully and without panic determine whether it is possible to free yourself from the drifts using available tools and improvised means. Inform the civil defense and emergency situations department or the local administration about the nature of the drifts and whether you can clear them yourself. If you cannot clear the snowdrift yourself, try to establish communication with rescue units. Turn on a radio receiver (television) and follow the instructions of local authorities. Take measures to preserve heat and use food supplies sparingly.

      To drivers

      Drivers, especially those planning long-distance trips, should pay particular attention to the technical condition of their vehicle. Check the weather forecast for the next day or two, depending on travel time. Before a long journey in cold weather, take care in advance of insulating the vehicle. Before departure check the engine and battery, stock up on fuel, and use a good antifreeze. It is important not to refuel at unverified gas stations, as poor-quality fuel can cause serious problems. Prepare warm clothing and food in advance, and do not forget a charger for your mobile phone.

      Check the presence of 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 worth throwing a set of jumper cables into the trunk. If possible, it is good to have a jump-starter/charger based on a compact lithium battery.

      Emergency kit

      The emergency kit should contain: a mobile phone charger and spare battery, warm clothing and blankets, a brush for removing snow and ice from the windshield, a small shovel to free the wheels from snow if necessary; a handheld flashlight and a set of batteries for it, a first-aid kit, food and drinking water, an axe and a folding saw, a pack of solid fuel, a lighter, a small stove and a pot.

      Provide your finalized route and estimated time of arrival

      Before the trip, inform family members, neighbors or friends of your exact route and estimated return time. If trouble occurs on the road, use modern means of communication – this will significantly speed up the response time of rescue units. When contacting rescuers, indicate your location, distinctive features of the area, 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 charge.

      If a breakdown occurs on the road

      Place warning markers in front of and behind the vehicle; these can be a felled tree or any conspicuous objects. If the vehicle is running, slightly open a window to ensure ventilation and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. For a prolonged stop or overnight stay, park facing into the wind so that exhaust gases do not enter the slightly open cabin windows. Periodically check the wind direction for your own safety. It is also important to ensure that the exhaust pipe is not blocked by ice and is not covered by snow. If the vehicle breaks down, do not panic; call the single emergency operational services number "101", report your problem and provide your coordinates. Take measures to preserve heat and use available food supplies sparingly. Try to stockpile firewood; if none is available, combustible materials can be burned — there are usually plenty of them.

      How to act during a severe blizzard

      Only go outside in exceptional cases. Do not go out alone. Inform family members or neighbors where you are going and when you will return. In a vehicle, travel only on major roads and highways. When leaving the vehicle, do not move away from it beyond visual range. If you stop on the road, signal for help with intermittent horn blasts, raise the hood or hang a bright cloth on the antenna, and wait for assistance inside the vehicle. You may leave the engine running, with the window slightly open to ensure ventilation and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. If you lose your bearings while walking outside a settlement, enter the first house you come across, clarify your location and, if possible, wait until the blizzard subsides. If you become exhausted, seek shelter and stay in it. Be attentive and cautious when interacting with strangers, as during natural disasters the number of thefts from cars, apartments and workplaces increases sharply.

      If, due to heavy snowdrifts, you find yourself trapped in a building, carefully and without panic determine whether it is possible to free yourself from the drifts using available tools and improvised means. Inform the civil defense and emergency situations department or the local administration about the nature of the drifts and whether you can clear them yourself. If you cannot clear the snowdrift yourself, try to establish communication with rescue units. Turn on a radio receiver (television) and follow the instructions of local authorities. Take measures to preserve heat and use food supplies sparingly.

      In fog:

      If you are outdoors and notice the fog thickening, take measures to avoid losing your bearings in the forest or on a body of water. Fog poses a danger to all road users. When driving in fog, refrain from unnecessary lane changes, overtaking or passing. Most road traffic accidents in fog involve the vehicle ahead. It is important to bear in mind that fog shortens perceived distance – it is advisable to increase the usual following distance and reduce speed.

      Avoid sudden braking: if you need to stop, reduce speed smoothly. Press the brake pedal several times to signal drivers of vehicles behind you. Driving in fog increases driver fatigue; caution will not be excessive.

      If possible, avoid long-distance trips.

      When driving a vehicle in poor visibility, refrain from unnecessary lane changes, overtaking and passing.

      Avoid sudden braking: if you need to stop, reduce speed smoothly. Press the brake pedal several times to signal drivers of vehicles behind you.

      If possible, avoid trips and refrain from long walks outdoors.

      To drivers:

      1. When driving in these conditions, refrain from unnecessary lane changes, overtaking and passing;

      2. Pay attention to the technical condition of the vehicle, especially the braking system and the condition of the tires;

      3. Avoid sudden braking; if you need to stop, reduce speed smoothly;

      4. Press the brake pedal several times to signal drivers of vehicles behind you;

      5. Ensure all lighting is 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 advised to:

      1. Be extremely attentive when crossing streets and roads;

      2. Cross streets only at marked pedestrian crossings, remembering that due to limited visibility and slippery road surfaces drivers need more time to stop;

      3. Use, if possible, only overhead or underground pedestrian crossings when crossing the carriageway;

      4. Do not run across the road in front of moving vehicles;

      5. Walk facing the flow of traffic;

      6. Use a high-visibility vest or attach reflective elements to clothing.

      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.