Engineers from Moscow's power grid company MOESK on Sunday started repairing the eight power transmission lines around the Russian capital that still do not operate after New Year blackouts caused by unusual weather, MOESK said.
"A total of 238 emergency crews comprising 1,211 people and 181 items of heavy equipment started restoring power supplies in the Moscow Region on January 9," the statement said.
Massive blackouts began around Moscow and in other regions in central Russia after an ice storm in late December. It was raining for two days and drops of water froze immediately on power transmission lines and electrical wires. Gales broke frozen trees, which fell on wires, disrupting electricity supplies in entire districts.
Power supplies to most inhabited localities were restored in early January, but snowfalls and strong winds caused new power outages around the Russian capital, as well as in the Smolensk, Tver and Pskov regions.
"The key tasks facing power engineers today are the same: to clear the fallen trees and restore a normal scheme of power supply to Moscow Region facilities," MOESK said.
MOSCOW, January 9 (RIA Novosti)
