The city of Orenburg in Russia, near the border with Kazakhstan, is facing a mass evacuation due to rising water levels in the Ural River, which is threatening the area with severe flooding. The mayor of Orenburg, Sergei Salmin, issued a statement on the messaging app Telegram urging residents to evacuate immediately, as sirens sounded throughout the city. The water level in the Ural River has risen significantly over the past 10 hours, reaching a dangerous level of 11.43 meters. Images from the city show entire districts submerged in water, highlighting the severity of the situation. The flooding was triggered by a dam burst in the city of Orsk, further exacerbating the crisis.
As of Friday, over 11,700 houses in the region remain flooded, although this number has decreased slightly from the previous day. Tass, a state news agency, reported that around 10,700 people have already been evacuated from affected areas. The Ural River, which runs through Russia and Kazakhstan before flowing into the Caspian Sea, is a critical waterway in the region. The flooding has caused widespread devastation, with homes and infrastructure severely affected by the rising waters. The situation has been deemed an emergency of federal importance by authorities, indicating the severity of the crisis.
Efforts to mitigate the impact of the flooding are underway, with emergency services working to evacuate residents and provide assistance to those affected. The Russian government has mobilized resources to support the affected regions and ensure the safety of residents. The flooding has caused significant disruption to daily life in Orenburg and surrounding areas, with many facing the loss of their homes and belongings. The focus is now on ensuring the well-being of those affected and preventing further damage as water levels continue to rise.
The international community has expressed solidarity with Russia and Kazakhstan during this challenging time, offering support and assistance to help manage the crisis. The scale of the flooding in Orenburg and the surrounding areas requires a coordinated response from all levels of government and the involvement of humanitarian organizations to provide aid to those in need. The disaster serves as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the face of natural disasters. As the evacuation efforts continue and the cleanup and recovery process begins, the focus is on rebuilding and supporting those affected by the floods.
