VLADIKAVKAZ, Russia, March 22 (UPI) -- Gas supplies to the breakaway republic of South Ossetia were disrupted when a mudslide damaged a gas measuring station, emergency officials said Monday.
More than 35,000 cubic feet of earth collapsed on the Trans-Caucasus highway Monday, damaging the Dzaurikau-Tskhinval gas pipeline, a spokeswoman for the South Ossetian Emergency Situations Ministry Yulia Starchenko told ITAR-Tass.
A gas pipeline linked to the measuring station sends Russian gas to the breakaway republic. The spokeswoman said the station was damaged by the mudslide.
She added that the situation wasn't dire. Using emergency restrictions on the pipeline could leave enough gas in reserve to supply South Ossetia for up to three days, she added.
The Trans-Caucasus highway, the only direct road between Russia and South Ossetia, was cut off Tuesday because of roughly 30 avalanches.
Snowy weather in the region "guarantees avalanches" and the road has been closed for more than a day, said Starchenko.
South Ossetia relies on Russian supplies for energy and contact with the rest of the world.
