Russian pipeline break limits heat

A rupture of a natural gas pipeline Sunday morning has left nearly 10,000 residents of central Russia without any heat services, an emergency center says.

The regional emergencies center said specialists have already found the ruptured portion of the pipeline in the city of Kursk and are working to resume heating services to 16 residential homes and nearly 10,000 area residents, RIA Novosti reported.

The place of the rupture has been found, the faulty pipe section has been cut off and specialists are planning to complete welding works and supply heat to residents in the next two to three hours, the center said.

The emergencies ministry said with the temperature in the Russian city varying between 35 and 37 degrees Fahrenheit, the pipeline has not frozen over.

RIA Novosti said pipeline and heating issues during the year's colder months are nothing new in Russia as the country has long struggled with such concerns due to outdated pipelines.