The gold mining capital of Russia was left without heating in the city of Budaibo, Irkutsk region, on November 5, residents were left without heating and hot water due to a utility accident, Interfax writes. The air temperature dropped to minus 20 degrees. I. o. Mayor Valentin Putria reported that a pipe with a diameter of 350 mm exploded. According to the data of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the supply of heat and hot water was restored at 21:50. On November 1, the local authorities reported that the boiler houses in Budaivo were prepared for the winter, and measures were taken to eliminate the results of the previous accident. At the end of January 2026, a state of emergency was imposed in the city - during a 40-degree frost in Budaibo, the main water pipe froze. That's why they stopped four boiler houses. More than 140 residential buildings and two schools were left without heating and water. According to the investigation committee, the accident endangered the lives of at least 1,321 people. The heating was returned to the affected houses only in the second half of February. Budaibo is located in the northeast of Irkutsk district, 1095 km from Irkutsk. Budaivinsky District provides the bulk of the gold mining in the region. In 2025, 21.3 tons of gold will be mined here - 11.6% more than the year before. In the first half of 2026, production increased by 22%. More than two dozen companies are engaged in gold mining. Polios, Vysochaischi, Droza and the Lanzolotto Group operate in the region. More details.