The water levels on rivers in Russia and Kazakhstan are steadily rising, causing widespread flooding in villages and cities. Over 100,000 people have been evacuated, and the Kremlin is warning that the situation is expected to worsen.
The fast-melting snow and ice in Russia’s southern Urals, western Siberia, and northern Kazakhstan have led to record-high river levels, posing a threat to major cities. Moscow and Astana have both declared a state of emergency, with the floods being described as the worst in decades.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the situation is “very, very tense,” with water levels continuing to rise rapidly. Despite this, President Vladimir Putin has no plans to visit the flood zone but is being briefed regularly on the situation.
In Kazakhstan, nearly 100,000 people have been evacuated, while in Russia, over 7,700 people have been relocated, mainly from the heavily affected Orenburg region. The Ural River has almost completely flooded Orsk and is now affecting the streets of Orenburg, with water levels rising significantly.
Officials in Orenburg warned that the river depth had reached 996cm, well above the critical level of 930cm. They expect it to rise further in the coming days. In Orsk, rescuers are working to save stranded residents and animals from flooded areas.
Floods are also anticipated to worsen in Kurgan, a city in western Siberia near the Kazakh border, where the Tobol River is swelling. Emergency services are urging residents to take precautionary measures, such as placing sandbags along riverbanks to prevent further flooding.
Russia’s Emergency Minister Alexander Kurenko is monitoring the situation in the affected regions and ensuring that timely warnings are provided to residents. Despite the challenges posed by the rising waters, efforts are ongoing to mitigate the impact of the floods on communities in Russia and Kazakhstan.