The Russian government has declared a federal emergency in the flood-hit areas of the Orenburg region due to rising water levels in the Ural River. Over 4,000 people, including 885 children, have been evacuated, and 2,000 homes have been flooded, with a total estimated damage of 21 billion rubles ($227 million). The Russia Emergency Situations Minister has arrived in Orsk, one of the most affected cities, to supervise rescue operations and has called for federal assistance and coordination to supplement local efforts.
Orsk, located near the border with Kazakhstan, suffered significant damage from the floods, with 4,500 residential buildings flooded and ongoing evacuation efforts. A criminal probe has been launched to investigate construction violations that may have caused a dam to break. Local authorities reported that the dam could withstand water levels up to 5.5 meters (18 feet), but the water level reached about 9.3 meters (30.51 feet) on Saturday morning and 9.7 meters (31.82 feet) on Sunday. Four people were reported dead in Orsk, but their deaths were unrelated to the flooding.
In the regional capital of Orenburg, located 250 kilometers (155 miles) away, the situation was also worsening, with over 1,300 homes flooded, and 428 people evacuated. Footage from Orsk and Orenburg showed water covering the streets and single-story houses. The federal emergency designation in the Orenburg region reflects the risk of flooding beyond the area, with preventative evacuations beginning in two districts of the neighboring Kurgan region. The Ural River, a 2,428-kilometer-long river flowing through Russia and Kazakhstan, poses a threat of flooding in the surrounding regions.
The floods in the Orenburg region have prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation with emergency officials in the affected areas, emphasizing the need for early adoption of measures to assist people and potentially evacuate them. The Ministry for Emergency Situations evacuated around 820 people in the neighboring Samara region, while preventative evacuation began in the Kurgan region. The federal emergency status allows for additional resources and coordination at the federal level to support the ongoing rescue and relief efforts in the flood-hit regions.
The ongoing floods in the Orenburg region have caused significant damage and displacement, with thousands of people affected and homes flooded. The situation has prompted a federal emergency declaration and the mobilization of resources to assist those in need. As rescue operations continue and water levels rise, authorities are working to provide necessary support to affected communities and prevent further harm. The collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by natural disasters like floods and ensuring the safety and well-being of the people in the affected regions.
