Kirov was included in the list of cities at risk of emergencies during the heating season.

      Kirov was among the cities where the Ministry of Energy recorded high risks of disruptions and accidents during the heating season. This was stated by Georgy Popov, deputy director of the Department for Electric Power Development at the Russian Ministry of Energy, during a meeting in the Federation Council.

      According to Popov, alongside Kirov the ministry's areas of special concern include Baykalsk (Irkutsk Oblast), Berdsk and Iskitim (Novosibirsk Oblast), Ulan-Ude, Chelyabinsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Tolyatti and Podolsk.

      “In these cities, based on the analysis of emergency response plans, the level of wear of the heat networks and the quality of heat supply sources, there are significant risks that the autumn-winter period will not be able to pass accident‑free,” the Ministry of Energy representative noted.

      The ministry also clarified that nationwide more than 2.2 thousand municipalities out of 4,000 have already been inspected for the heating season. 85% were declared fully ready, another 6% were given the status “ready with conditions,” and 9% “not ready.”

      The assessment of the readiness of Russian regions is planned to be completed by November 15. The regions named as having the most successful winter preparations are Smolensk, Kostroma, Vologda and Novosibirsk Oblasts, as well as Karelia, Altai and Bashkortostan.

      It should be recalled that a month ago a government meeting discussed the situation with resource-supplying organizations and the heating period as a whole. At that time it was reported that the heating season had started in all settlements of Kirov Oblast, but some figures nevertheless caused concern. Read more here.