Ministry of Energy: 251 locations without power

The Ministry of Energy reported that over the past day, power supply was disrupted in 251 populated areas across the country. A total of 997 transformer substations, 30 farms, and 6 boiler houses were de-energized. Power outages were mainly recorded in the Vitebsk, Minsk, and Gomel regions. Although heavy snowfall, blizzards, and gusty winds reaching 15–20 m/s, and at night up to 24 m/s, caused trees and branches to fall onto power lines, as well as breakage and collapse of power line poles. The worst affected areas due to the severe weather were the Polotsk, Molodechno, Slutsk, Minsk, Rechytsa, and Zhlobin districts. To address the cyclone's aftermath, 76 emergency teams and 69 units of equipment have been deployed. As of 7:00 a.m. on January 9, restoration work continues in 44 populated areas. Currently, difficult weather conditions persist across Belarus: during the day, heavy snow with gusty winds up to 15–20 m/s is forecast over most of the country, and snow drifts are reported on roads. Power supply organizations, in cooperation with the Ministry of Emergency Situations and local authorities, are continuously monitoring the meteorological situation. The Ministry of Energy has established a command center to monitor the situation and take additional measures for the fastest possible restoration of power supply.