Russian city braces itself as toxic slick nears

Residents of the far eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk stocked up on water today before the arrival of a toxic chemical slick that could force authorities to shut off water and central heating despite subzero temperatures.

The chemicals that spilled last month from a factory explosion upriver in China were expected to reach the city by tomorrow. Hot water supplies might have to be suspended for as long as seven days and cold water for as long as three days, the regional governor said.