Thousands Evacuated as Flood Waters Rise in Southern Russia
Russian emergency services have been working tirelessly to evacuate thousands of people from the southern regions bordering Kazakhstan as flood waters continue to rise. Fast-rising temperatures, melting snow, and heavy rain have caused major rivers in Russia and Kazakhstan to overflow this month.
In the city of Orenburg, one of the worst affected areas, the Ural River breached its banks, submerging streets and residential areas. Water levels reached almost 12 meters, well above the critical level. Regional governor Denis Pasler described the situation as “complex” and stated that the flood in Orenburg is at its peak.
More than 13,000 people have been evacuated from Orenburg and surrounding regions, with over 11,000 homes flooded. Residents were seen using rubber dinghies to rescue pets and belongings from flooded houses, while some areas were left without power.
In the Kurgan region, the Tobol River’s level continues to rise steeply, prompting the evacuation of over 6,000 people. Governor Vadim Shumkov urged residents to leave immediately, emphasizing the unpredictability of rising waters.
In Kazakhstan, flooding has reached the outskirts of the city of Petropavlovsk, affecting power and water supply. Over 102,000 people, including many children, have been evacuated, with almost 4,000 homes still flooded.
The impact of climate change, attributed to global warming, has led to more frequent extreme weather events like floods. In response to the crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting but has not visited the affected regions. The situation remains critical as emergency services work to ensure the safety of those affected by the devastating floods.