Russia and Kazakhstan evacuate thousands due to floods

People evacuated from flooded areas in Orsk city, Orenburg region (Russia) on April 8, 2024. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Rapid snowmelt caused by high temperatures and heavy rains this month has caused several major rivers in Russia and Kazakhstan to overflow their banks. In the city of Orenburg, one of the hardest-hit regions in Russia, the Ural River burst its banks, flooding streets and residential areas. The river continued to rise, reaching 12 meters (40 feet) by the afternoon of April 13, 2.5 meters higher than the level considered critical.

According to the Orenburg region authorities, about 14,000 people have been evacuated from Orenburg and the surrounding area. The number of flooded houses is increasing and some areas have lost power. Meanwhile, the Kurgan region authorities have also urged people to evacuate as the Tobol River is expected to rise as the ice melts.

Rescuers evacuate people from flooded areas in Pokrovka, northern Kazakhstan. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

In Kazakhstan, which shares a 7,500-km border with Russia, floods have affected the suburbs of Petropavlovsk, the capital of North Kazakhstan province, forcing the evacuation of over 103,000 people, flooding nearly 5,000 houses and causing power and water outages in many places.

VNA/Tin Tuc Newspaper

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nga-va-kazakhstan-so-tan-hang-nghin-nguoi-do-lu-lut-post382759.html