Floodwaters are wreaking havoc in southern Russia and neighboring Kazakhstan, with thousands of homes at risk of being submerged. The situation is particularly dire in the Kurgan region, where the governor has warned of a “very difficult situation” in the coming hours. This flooding is part of a larger crisis in the Russian Urals regions and Kazakhstan, caused by melting ice and heavy rainfall. In Kazakhstan, over 107,000 people have been evacuated, while almost 40,000 homes in Russia have already been flooded.
The severity of this year’s spring flooding is unprecedented, with reports indicating that it is much worse than usual. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has described this as the country’s worst natural disaster in the last 80 years. In Russia’s Orenburg region, 34,000 homes have already been submerged due to the rising Ural River. Rescue operations are in full swing in this region, with residents being evacuated by boats and police vehicles. However, the situation is deteriorating further east in the Kurgan region, where the River Tobol is rising rapidly.
Governor Vadim Shumkov of the Kurgan region has issued warnings about the worsening situation, citing fresh rainfall as a major contributing factor. The Tobol River has risen by 25 centimeters in just two hours, presenting a significant threat to the local population. Despite evacuation orders, some residents are refusing to leave their homes, further complicating rescue efforts. The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry has predicted that over 18,000 people could be displaced in the Kurgan region alone.
Shumkov has taken to social media to urge residents to evacuate the flooded areas immediately while there is still daylight. He emphasized the need for caution, warning that street lights may need to be switched off for safety reasons as night falls. The situation remains precarious, with ongoing rainfall and rising river levels adding to the challenges faced by emergency response teams. As the floodwaters continue to rise, the priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected by this natural disaster in southern Russia and Kazakhstan.
In light of the escalating crisis, international aid and support may be necessary to assist with rescue and relief efforts. The scale of the flooding in the Russian Urals regions and Kazakhstan is overwhelming local resources, necessitating a coordinated response from the global community. As the waters continue to rise and thousands of homes remain at risk of being submerged, swift action is crucial to prevent further devastation and safeguard the lives of those impacted by this natural disaster.
