25 May 2024 , 06:25
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A woman in the world's coldest city says temperatures plummet as low as -64.4C and residents age faster.
Kiun B lives in Yakutsk, Siberia where the mercury falls below -64.4C (-83.9F) in winter and around 20C (68F) in the summer. In a YouTube video, she says a thick fog obscures the sun for most of the year, and the area is like "a scene from a science fiction movie."
She examines the cold and dark, and speaks to locals with severe frostbite on their fingers, and says: "In Yakutsk life doesn't stop [when it gets cold]. We still go outside, go to school and work. Getting frostbite and hypothermia in Yakutsk is almost as common as the cold itself."
YouTube creator Kiun B lives in the Siberian city of Yakutsk (Kiun B/Youtube)She often ends up with "mild frostbite" on the exposed parts of her face. And after feeling "numbness" she rushes to a warm place to gaud against any serious damage. The government, she says, was forced to provide shelters for "warmth and protection".
Specialised wards and medics deal with the worst cases in addition to giving every resident access to "free basic health care services". Communities in the Yakutsk region are spread out and people die on long journeys, which can take up to 48 hours to reach hospitals.
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Kiun added: "In such cold, car batteries can freeze leaving travelers stuck... which can be fatal. Sadly, every year hundreds of people freeze to death in Yakutsk." Respiratory problems are also an issue because of the cold, said the Siberian. She said: "The freezing air can really stress your breathing.
Temperatures can dip to dangerous levels (Antonio Balasco/LiveMedia/REX/Shutterstock)"So during the really cold days here, we often cover our face completely, and it not only protects our skin, but it also protects our lungs. I also heard many times from the newcomers who came to visit Yakutsk for the first time how the air is difficult to breathe."
Vitamin deficiency is also a significant concern because of the extreme climate and lack of sunlight. Kiun said: "As you might know, vitamin D is crucial for our bone health, our immune function and overall well-being. I've been dealing with vitamin D and anemia for as long as I can remember.'
Frostbite is a common thing for people surviving in Yakutsk (Kiun B/Youtube)Yakutsk people are not known for eating many vegetables she says and lack certain nutrients To help Kiun takes vitamin D and iron pill. Another complaint which affects people from the area isl inked to the lack of sunlight is Seasonal Affective Disorder.
In the video, she says: "In winter, the lack of sunlight and the constant cold can really get you down. It's tough to even step outside when you need to bundle up in hundreds of layers, so we spend quite a lot of time indoors. But staying indoors all the time can make you really feel tired, sleepy and I can feel my mood dropping."
Temperatures have been known to plunge below -83.9F (-64.4C) in the winter in the Siberian city (Kiun B/Youtube)She has been using the mental health platform BetterHelp on the internet which has helped improve her wellbeing. She added: "It's been a huge help to connect to a therapist online... Having therapy sessions has helped me understand myself better and explain the reasons behind my feelings."