A powerful snowstorm has buried parts of Russia's Kamchatka under record snowfall, forcing emergency measures, killing at least 2 people, and stunning the world with dramatic visuals.
A powerful snowstorm has buried parts of Russia's Kamchatka under record snowfall [Photo: X]
A severe winter storm has hit Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, dumping record levels of snow that have buried streets, cars and homes under deep drifts. The extreme weather has paralysed daily life, forced emergency measures and stunned people around the world with breathtaking visuals of snow reaching the second and even fourth floors of buildings.
Local officials have reported at least 2 deaths, and residents are facing major hardships as rescue teams race to clear roads and reopen services.
Record-breaking snowfall has transformed Kamchatka’s capital, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, into a nearly unrecognisable snowy landscape. Videos shared online show snow piled up to the height of multi-storey buildings, cars completely buried, and people digging tunnels through drifts just to reach the street. Some residents have even been filmed jumping into deep snowbanks from windows.
Locals in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula are calling it a “snow apocalypse” after record-breaking snowfall buried towns, blocked roads, and forced a state of emergency, with snow piling up to building levels in some areas.pic.twitter.com/cWutM1L9wX
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) January 17, 2026
Meteorologists say the current snowstorm is one of the heaviest in decades, with accumulations reaching several metres in many places. Some areas have seen snow depths comparable to historic highs not seen in over a century.
Officials responded by declaring a state of emergency to deal with the snow disaster. The city’s mayor, Yevgeny Belyayev, criticised building managers for not removing snow from rooftops before it became dangerous. Authorities have mobilised additional crews to clear the roads and assist trapped residents.
Schools have closed temporarily, and many businesses are shut as transportation remains severely restricted. Public transport has stopped in some districts due to dangerous road conditions, and residents are being urged to work from home where possible.
Tragic incidents have already occurred due to the heavy snow. In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at least two residents died after large slabs of snow and ice slid from rooftops and buried them. Emergency workers and local leaders have urged the public to stay cautious, warning that snow drifts and rooftop build-ups can collapse without notice.
Emergency services are also cautioning people against risky behaviour such as jumping into high snowdrifts. Beneath the surface, dangerous obstacles like hidden vehicles or sharp objects can cause injuries, authorities say.
The snowstorm has disrupted normal life across the region. Many roads remain blocked, cutting off access to shops and supplies. Local outlets report shortages of essentials like bread, milk and eggs as deliveries struggle to reach communities. Authorities say these shortages are due to logistical challenges caused by blocked streets and transport delays.
Heavy machinery continues to work around the clock to clear major routes and ensure emergency services can reach residents who need help. Officials have stressed that clearing efforts are ongoing and supply deliveries are gradually resuming.
Experts describe the storm as a result of powerful winter systems forming over the northern Pacific, bringing intense snowfall and strong winds. Kamchatka’s subarctic climate makes heavy snow common, but the current intensity and duration are unusually high, leaving even long-time residents in awe.
While climate patterns vary year to year, events like this are raising questions about more extreme weather becoming frequent in northern regions — a topic scientists say needs further study, especially in remote areas exposed to oceanic and atmospheric shifts.
