‘Bathe in pairs’, Russia city authorities tell residents to save water during World Cup

Samara (Russia), July 5: The ongoing Fifa World Cup in Russia has made the headlines for all kind of reasons - from sporting to diplomatic to even bizarre. To give example of a bizarre reason for which this world cup has made the news: the authorities in Samara, the city in Southwestern Russia which is serving as one of the hosts to the tournament, have asked the residents of the city to take shower in pairs as a step to preserve water for use by the visiting fans, the Moscow Times reported.

The authorities in the city have increased the water supply over the last few days to meet the higher demand because of the mega football event and the soaring temperature, the report added.

"Thousands of the city's visitors, who also consume water, are contributing to the increase," the Moscow Times report quoted the press release by utility company Samarskiye Kommunalniye Systemy as saying on Wednesday, July 7.

There were reports of decreasing water pressure in some areas around the city as the demand went up and hence, the residents were advised to bathe in pairs. The company concluded the advice message with a smiley face, the report added.

Samara has hosted five matches of the tournament so far and will host the quarterfinal game between England and Sweden on Friday, July 6.