Russia evacuates 4,000 individuals following dam breach near Kazakhstan border | Global News

Three people have tragically lost their lives following the flooding that occurred after an embankment dam broke in the southern region of Orenburg, near Kazakhstan. According to CNN, the Russian news agency TASS reported the devastating incident on Saturday.

The dam in the city of Orsk was unable to contain the flow of water from the Ural River, leading to its rupture in two places. As a result, thousands of Russians have been evacuated from the area. Local authorities informed TASS that 4,208 people, including 1,019 children, have been evacuated, and preparations are underway for 495 temporary accommodation centers to house 82,200 people.

The regional authorities revealed that the level of the Ural River was nearly double the capacity the dam was designed to handle. The failure of the dam was attributed to improper maintenance of the hydraulic structure, leading to a criminal investigation being opened by the regional prosecutor’s office.

The flooding has affected several districts of the city, with nearly 2,400 residential buildings being inundated by the rising waters. The head of the Orenburg region, Sergey Salmin, declared a state of emergency and urged residents in the flood zone to evacuate immediately. Those who refuse to leave voluntarily will be evacuated forcibly with the assistance of police officers, as reported by CNN.

Orsk, a city with a population of 230,000 people, is situated near the border of Kazakhstan. The devastating impact of the dam break has left the region in a state of crisis, with authorities working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the flooding.