A heavy snowstorm has paralyzed traffic on Russia's Far Eastern island of Sakhalin, regional transportation authorities reported on Sunday.

The cyclone, which approached from the Yellow Sea, hit the Pacific island on Sunday morning with winds up of to 25 meters per second and heavy snow, creating the danger of avalanches in the island's south, the transportation authorities said.

The cyclone has partially interrupted air communication with Sakhalin while the ferry service between the island and the mainland has been suspended, the transportation authorities said.

Sakhalin residents have been advised against traveling until the snowstorm abated.

YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, March 21 (RIA Novosti)