Extraordinary situation arises in Yakutia with delivery of cargoes for winter

An extraordinary situation has been declared in Yakutia (Russian Far East) in connection with the problem of delivering oil products and national-economic cargoes for the winter time.

As the press service of the republican government reported on Wednesday, this situation has been caused by the shallowing of the River Lena in its upper reaches. The depth of the water in the Osetrovsky port of the town of Ust-Kut is only 90 centimetres. "All navigation plans have failed, the situation is especially difficult with regard to the delivery of oil products," pointed out the press service spokesman. Out of 980,000 tons of oil products under the plan, only 300,000 tons have been delivered.

To come out of the arisen situation, it has been decided to use the Northern Sea Route where navigation will open at the beginning of August. Apart from that, the work to deepen the bottom of the rivers will continue to make it possible for small ships to sail on them.