What it's like to live in the coldest city on Earth, at -71°C (VIDEO)

2026-01-17 15:51:51Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Yakutsk

Yakutsk, the capital of the Sakha Republic in Siberia, Russia, is located on the banks of the Lena River. It is not an isolated village, but a real city of about 300,000 inhabitants. It is precisely this urban normality, immersed in an extraordinary winter, that makes it unique: it is the coldest city in the world, yet life goes on, although with noticeable differences compared to countries with a milder climate.

In summer, temperatures can exceed +29°C, but winter is extreme.

The lowest temperature ever recorded is -71°C. During the winter months, daylight hours are few, only four in January. National Geographic notes that it is sometimes so cold that it is impossible to dig the ground (even for burials), operate airplanes normally, or grow crops.

Every outing is carefully planned, without unnecessary detours, because the body — more than traffic or schedules — dictates time and choices. The risk of frostbite is high. Many people wrap themselves in at least ten layers of clothing, which makes movement difficult. Cars are often kept running or covered to avoid freezing.

A typical sight of the city is the fish and meat market: the port on the Lena River supplies the city, and in winter, fish and meat freeze naturally in the open air, without the need for refrigerators. Meanwhile, fresh vegetables are rare.

Beneath their feet lies another challenge: permafrost. The ground is permanently frozen. For this reason, many buildings are built on stilts; where they are not, they risk sinking over time, as internal heat can melt the ground beneath them.

 


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