A record cold wave has seen the mercury dip to below minus 30 degrees Celsius in russia this week, Jan, 18. 2006 (Xinhua)

    MOSCOW, Jan. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian gas giant Gazprom reduced gas supplies to Europe on Wednesday to conserve fuel for additional domestic use due to a freeze that gripped much of the country for a third day and is expected to span the whole week.

    The company said the cutback is part of a temporary emergency plan following increased gas consumption at home because of extreme cold.

    Hungary reported a 20-percent reduction in gas flow from Russia after Gazprom cut down supplies to Europe, the Interfax news agency reported. Other European countries are also expected to be affected.

    "Everything possible is being done to ensure the restriction on supplies to European consumers is as small as possible and that supplies return to normal as quickly as possible," a Gazprom official was quoted by Interfax as saying.

    It has been unusually cold in much of western Russia over the past few days, following the arrival of the cold front which blew in from Siberia at the beginning of the week.

    The cold snap sent the mercury dipping sharply from around the freezing mark on Monday morning to below minus 30 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. At least 14 people have died of exposure nationwide.

    Gazprom is supplying 40 percent more than contracted deliveries to domestic consumers, and vital installations, households and general service providers would not be subject to any supply restrictions, the company said. Enditem