Meet Sergey, a resident of a remote and frosty village in Yakutia.
Today at -50 degrees Celsius, his first task is to warm his home with a wood-burning stove,
which he must tend to at least three times a day in order to keep his house comfortable.
In rural villages in Yakutia, where temperatures can plummet to extreme lows, heating homes
is a critical necessity.
One of the most common methods is using a brick heating stoves, which are efficient
at producing heat and can be fueled with wood that is available locally.
The brick wood stoves are typically placed at the center of the house to efficiently
distribute heat throughout the entire home, preventing any loss.
Additionally, Yakutian wooden houses are insulated between every log with moss and snow, which
helps retain the heat inside.
So, even when the temperature drops to -50 or -60 degrees Celsius outside, the interior
of the house remains warm at around +25 degrees Celsius.
Despite the extreme weather conditions, life goes on as usual in the village, with locals
carrying out their regular activities, including work and school.
Sergey is no exception, as he makes a 20-minute journey to work every day.
Sergei works at the local coal heating system, which is another vital method used to keep the village warm
In fact, most administrative buildings in the area rely on this system for heating.
The village has above-ground pipes this is due to the frozen ground that never melts.
To ensure that the pipes do not freeze during the harsh winter months, they are heavily insulated
Sergey's work starts early in the morning, where he inspects the coal-burning furnace,
ensuring that it is running smoothly and efficiently.
He closely monitors the heat output, regularly refilling the coal as needed to maintain a
steady and consistent temperature throughout the village.
Despite the availability of natural gas as an alternative fuel source, the village continues
to rely on coal for heating, making it a popular option in regions where it is mined locally.
Yakutia is known for having vast reserves of high-quality coal, which has been used
for heating and other purposes for centuries.
This is due to a variety of factors, including the lack of infrastructure to transport and
store natural gas and cost-effectiveness.
There are four of us who manage the coal heating system for the village
in the harsh winters, we have to always stay awake to manage the heating system
We need to constantly fill the coal furnace to keep the heating system running
If you fall asleep during the shift
If the temperature drops even slightly, there is a risk that some families may freeze
We recently experienced the days with temperatures dropping as low as -60°C/-76°F
We did our best to make sure that everyone was safe during the extreme cold
In the afternoons, Sergey makes rounds checking the pipes around the village.
This task is crucial to ensure that the pipes remain functional and free from any damage
caused by the extreme cold.
Insulating our pipes like this is necessary
to prevent them from freezing during cold weather
It's also important to check the gate valve regularly
to ensure it remains open
as someone may close it
So this is how we do our work
Sergey's dedication to his work is a testament to the communal spirit of the people of Yakutia's rural villages
Living in extreme cold requires an in-depth understanding of the environment and the ability
to adapt to challenging conditions.
Despite the harsh weather, the people continue to lead fulfilling lives, relying on traditional
heating methods and thriving in a land of extreme cold.