At Yakobi Bay in Irkutsk, about 4 thousand people visited the Jordan by 5 p.m., and the main flow of those wanting to plunge into the blessed ice holes and collect water is expected after work. Water was blessed by Metropolitan Vadim of Irkutsk and Angarsk after a procession, and dozens of emergency services, police and medics are ensuring safety on the ice and shore. City authorities also warn of possible traffic delays and advise planning the route in advance.
According to preliminary data, about 4,000 people visited the Irkutsk Jordan at Yakobi Bay by 5 p.m.The main flow of people (another about 6,000 people), wishing to immerse themselves in the consecrated ice holes and collect water, is expected after the end of the working day. The rite of blessing the water in the ice hole was conducted by Metropolitan Vadim of Irkutsk and Angarsk after the procession from the Church of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky to the Jordan, which began at 11 a.m.
The safety of people on the ice of Yakobi Bay is being ensured in shifts by 35 employees of various agencies (GIMS – 10 people, the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate – 5 people, the Irkutsk Region Rescue Service 11 people, the Irkutsk City Rescue Service – 17 people, doctors from the Disaster Medicine Service - 2 people) and 15 units of equipment. Another 30 police officers are on duty in the cordon in 2 shifts. All services involved in the event will be on duty on the coast of Yakobi Bay from 9 a.m. to midnight.
Three parking lots near the coast of Yakobi Bay are designed for more than a thousand cars. The largest of them – with 550 parking spaces – is located between the Church of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky and the ice town “Jordan.” The administration of the city of Irkutsk urges residents of Irkutsk to plan their route in advance due to possible traffic congestion on the hydroelectric dam and in the area of Mukhina Street.
Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk administration.