Extremely heavy snowfall in Russia buries high-rise buildings. Watch

Heavy snow engulfs Kamchatka, with buildings buried up to upper floors. (Image credit: X)

• A severe winter storm hit Kamchatka, Russia, causing record snow and two deaths
• Kamchatka's capital closed schools, halted transport, and declared emergency.
• Snow buried vehicles and homes, with drifts reaching up to 40 feet in rare cases

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A severe winter storm crippled Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, covering roads, houses and vehicles in deep snow. According to The Moscow Times, at least two people have died in Russia’s Far East after being trapped in snow that fell from the roofs of buildings.

Following the first death report on Thursday, Mayor Yevgeny Belyayev declared a citywide state of emergency in the region.  “I was recommended to declare the situation, which has led to rooftop avalanches that resulted in two deaths, a local emergency. I took that decision,” Yevgeny Belyaev on Telegram.

Kamchatka, a peninsula in Russia’s Far East, stretching towards Japan, often experiences heavy snowfall, but the rare intensity of the storm brought the largest city to a standstill. The capital saw school closures and a halt in public transport services.

A series of low-pressure systems that developed in the Sea of Okhotsk moved Kamchatka and other far-eastern regions of Russia, triggering high winds and record-breaking snow.

A video shared by Russia’s Ministry of Emergency shows rescue workers removing a large pile of snow to help elderly residents trapped inside their homes.

Amid the deteriorating situation, several videos have gone viral on social media, showing the snow level rising to the second floors of high-rise apartments and residents digging through roads. Vehicles were seen completely buried beneath the snow. Meanwhile, people have also shared fun videos as they enjoyed the unusual weather.

 Footage have emerged showing heavy snowfall in Russia that lasted for four days without interruption. pic.twitter.com/AVyoPu3A7f

— Cyrus Intel (@Cyrus_Intel50) January 17, 2026

 in Russia! Record 163mm snow since Jan 1, worst in 130yrs. Unreal!  pic.twitter.com/BW6fHMi4RO

— RB. (@rahul4bisht) January 19, 2026

No AI This is from Kamchatka in easter Russia. Where historical amounts of snow has pounded some 10feet, but in rare cases like here, piles up to 40 feet. 100% of Russia is currently covered in snow. Extreme climate is new norm pic.twitter.com/HOittWoGA8 —(@LinusEkenstam) January 17, 2026

All-time snow records continues across eastern Russia, in weather books dating back 147 years. Drifts buried apartment blocks, overwhelming infrastructure and forcing a state of emergency. The modern snowfall record for the region dates to 1879. This event exceeds everything… pic.twitter.com/HcZE9aEi6S — Electroverse (@Electroversenet) January 19, 2026

Forecasters warned of heavy snowfall, low visibility and wet snow creating dangerous ice accumulation in parts of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Yelizhovsky districts.