Authorities in Russia’s Kurgan and Tyumen regions are urging residents to evacuate as the nearby Tobol and Ishim rivers have swelled to dangerous levels. The Kremlin warned that flood levels are expected to increase significantly by mid-week, with the rivers approaching or exceeding eight meters. The Kurgan regional government issued a statement urging residents in flood zones to evacuate immediately, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
Governor Vadim Shumkov of Kurgan region expressed concern about the massive amount of river water flowing towards the regional capital, which has a population of over 300,000 people. He described the situation as a real threat and advised residents to take necessary precautions by evacuating or moving belongings to higher ground. Meanwhile, Governor Alexander Moor of the neighboring Tyumen region reported that eight villages had been evacuated due to the rising Tobol River and warned of the rapidly increasing water levels in the Ishim River.
The Tyumen regional government issued emergency alerts to residents via text message, urging them to leave the city of Ishim which has a population of around 65,000 people. Governor Moor emphasized the intensity of the river flow as the ice cover melts, posing a threat to the city. Over the past month, Russia and Kazakhstan have been dealing with devastating floods that have caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of individuals. Significant portions of the southern Orenburg region were flooded last week due to the swollen Ural River.
Spring flooding caused by melting ice is common in certain regions of Russia, but this year’s heavy rainfall and warm spring weather have exacerbated the situation. The combination of these factors has resulted in severe flooding across Russia’s Urals and western Siberia, forcing residents to evacuate and seek temporary shelter. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and considering implementing mandatory evacuations in the affected areas to ensure public safety and prevent further damage. Overall, the ongoing flood crisis in Russia highlights the urgent need for coordinated response efforts to protect lives and property in vulnerable regions.
