In the documentary, Kiwoong B. spoke to locals who suffered severe frostbite on their fingers, a common occurrence in the Siberian city of Yakutsk, where temperatures drop below -64.4°C (-83.9°F) in winter.
A woman living in the world’s coldest city says temperatures have plummeted to minus 64.4 degrees and the population is ageing at a rapid rate.
Kiun B. lives in Yakutsk, Siberia, where temperatures drop below -64.4°C (-83.9°F) in winter and reach around 20°C (68°F) in summer. In a YouTube video, she describes the area as “like a scene from a sci-fi movie,” with thick fog blocking out the sun for much of the year.
Staring into the cold and darkness, and speaking to locals with severe frostbitten fingers, she says, “Life doesn’t stop in Yakutsk.” [when it gets cold]We still go outside to school and work. Frostbite and hypothermia are as common in Yakutsk as the cold itself.”
She often suffers from “mild frostbite” on exposed parts of her face, and when she feels “numbness,” she rushes to warmer places to prevent serious damage. The government has been forced to provide shelter for “warmth and protection,” she says.
Specialized wards and doctors are available to handle the worst cases and provide “free basic medical services” to the entire population. Communities in the Yakutsk region are fragmenting, and people are dying on the long journey to reach a hospital, which can take up to 48 hours.
“In such cold weather, car batteries can freeze, leaving travellers stranded – which can be life-threatening. Sadly, hundreds of people freeze to death in Yakutsk every year,” Kiun added. Respiratory problems are also a problem caused by the cold, said Kiun, who is from Siberia. “The frosty air really makes it hard to breathe.”
“So on really cold days here, we often cover our faces completely. That way, not only do we protect our skin, but our lungs too. And we’ve heard so many times from newcomers visiting Yakutsk for the first time that the air is hard to breathe.”
Vitamin deficiency is also a major concern due to the extreme climate and lack of sunlight. “As you know, vitamin D is crucial for bone health, immune function and overall health. I’ve struggled with vitamin D and anemia for as long as I can remember,” Kiun said.
Yakutsk people are known for not eating many vegetables, which leaves them deficient in certain nutrients, which Kiun takes vitamin D and iron supplements to help. Another problem people in the region suffer from is seasonal affective disorder, which is caused by a lack of sunlight.
In the video, she says, “Winter can really get you down with the lack of sunlight and the constant cold. Even going outside can be a struggle as you have to wear hundreds of layers of clothing, so we spend a lot of time indoors. But being indoors all the time can make you really tired, sleepy and depressed.”
She has been using the online mental health platform BetterHelp, which has helped her improve her health. She added: “Connecting with a therapist online has been a great help. The therapy sessions have helped me understand myself better and explain the reasons behind the emotions I’m feeling.”