North Caucasian weather bringing unpleasant surprises

An unusually sharp temperature rise is expected by the New Year eve in Dagestan (a North Caucasian republic) where December is characterized by an unusually cold weather.

Starting from December 30th till January 4th the temperature will rise to 5-7 degrees above zero in the coastal lowlands of the republic and to 8-15 degrees in mountainous regions, whereas in December in the north of Dagestan cold temperatures reached 27 degrees below zero /Celsius/ (a half a century, if not a century-old record).

In connection with this descent of snow avalanches from the slopes of the Great Caucasian ridge is possible, Pyotr Postavik, head of the Dagestan center for hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring, informed RIA Novosti.

The Chief hydrometeorologist of Dagestan pointed out to the particularly complicated situation on the Terek caused by frosts. It has not happened for a long time that 80% of the river in its delta was covered with ice 20-30 cm thick . There were lots of "under-the-ice bridges" 1.5-2 km long, the river bed was completely frozen there. Sharp rise of the water level might result in destruction of recently restored dam sectors and even the settlements, which suffered during the summer Terek floods.

Nevertheless Dagestan's authorities hope to keep the situation under control. Regional administrations have been warned, rescue units are on high alert.