It is noted that due to the abnormally warm weather (0 to +4 degrees), strong precipitation in the form of rain and wet snow was on February 4 and 5, and the cold snap on 6 February 2018 (from -6 to -16 degrees) in the fields was the formation ground ice crust with a thickness of 20 mm or more. This dangerous phenomenon is maintained for four decades in period of wintering of winter crops. According to the forecast of the hydrometeorological center, the average temperature for late March is expected at 6-7 degrees below normal. The current weather conditions contribute to the preservation of a glass of ice.

"The state of emergency imposed in connection with the death of winter crops and substantial damage from dangerous agrometeorological phenomenon – an ice crust formed on the soil surface. This has led to significant destruction of winter crops (more than 30 thousand hectare) in 20 districts of the Republic. Lost crops of winter wheat on the area of 27 thousand hectares and winter rye on 3 thousand hectares," — told RIA Novosti in the government.

Previously, the amount of damage is estimated at more than 240 million rubles. From extreme weather events affected 92 agricultural producers.

As explained in the Ministry of agriculture of Mordovia, in the cold, when the crust is not can melt the main way of protecting plants from destruction is the accumulation. "The mechanical destruction of the crust it is impossible — along with chunks of ice break off and frozen in his plants," — said in the Ministry.

Now under the Ministry of agriculture created the operational headquarters for emergency response, each affected municipal district working group on survey of crops, which specify the data on the death of winter from the icy crust. Counts the losses suffered by agricultural producers from dangerous phenomenon.

"As of March 27, 2018, dangerous agrometeorological phenomenon in the Republic proceeds", — noted in the Ministry of agriculture.