Gas supplies to Transdniestria suspended for technical reasons - minister

CHISINAU. April 7 (Interfax) - Gas supplies to Transdniestria have been suspended for technical reasons, the region's Economic Development Minister Sergei Obolonik said on Monday.

"Natural gas supplies to Transdniestria were suspended last Saturday. The interruption will last until April 8-9 and is caused by technical aspects," Obolonik said during a conference call in the Transdniestrian government.

Obolonik said that gas supplies would resume on April 8-9 and that it would be possible to start the central heating system in normal mode with the gas. He said that the heating season would be extended until April 13 owing to the sharp cold snap.

"The measures taken have rendered it possible to maintain the supply of hot water to all recipients and not interrupt the heat supply to closed-type social institutions," Obolonik said.

It was also noted at the meeting that the temperature in classrooms had dropped to 13-16 degrees Celsius in most of the region's educational institutions.

Transdniestria's leader Vadim Krasnoselsky said that the order to reach decisions on organizing the educational process locally in each school remains in effect, which is based on the possibility of ensuring a classroom temperature that is safe for the health of children and the staff.