The flood situation was acute in parts of Western Siberia, the largest hydrocarbon basin in the world, where the peak is expected in three to five days, and some areas around the Volga, Europe’s largest river, the emergencies ministry said.
Residents in Orenburg said it was the worst flooding in living memory while Russian officials said it was the worst flooding in the area since records began. Kazakhstan said 96,000 people have been evacuated.
Russia said 10,500 houses were flooded across 37 regions, most in the Orenburg region. Upstream on the Ural, which flows into Kazakhstan, floodwaters burst through an embankment dam in the city of Orsk on Friday.
In Kazakhstan, people worked through the night to build up dykes and strengthen embankments.
A state of emergency remained in effect in eight of the country’s 17 provinces, down from 10 at the end of last week.
Pope Francis expressed his sympathy for the victims.
“I also want to convey to the people of Kazakhstan my spiritual closeness at this time, when a massive flood has affected many regions of the country and caused the evacuation of thousands of people from their homes,” he said during his Wednesday weekly audience in St Peter’s Square.
“I invite everyone to pray for all those who are suffering the effects of this natural disaster.”
Source: CNA
