Russian regional governor anticipates 'very difficult' flood situation

As floodwaters surge in southern Russia, the governor of the Kurgan region foresees a challenging scenario in the imminent hours. The inundation, triggered by melting ice and intensified by heavy rainfall, extends across the Russian Urals regions and into neighboring Kazakhstan. The scale of the disaster portends extensive repercussions, with thousands of additional homes in jeopardy of submersion.

Reports from the TASS state news agency indicate that over 40,000 homes have succumbed to flooding in Russia, while in Kazakhstan, the toll stands at more than 107,000 displaced individuals. This year’s spring flooding, while a recurrent phenomenon, manifests with unprecedented severity, attributed to climatic anomalies exacerbating the natural course of events.

In a rare declaration, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev characterized the calamity as the nation’s most severe natural disaster in eight decades. The gravity of the situation is palpable as 34,000 homes in Russia’s Orenburg region have already been engulfed by the swelling Ural River, prompting large-scale evacuations witnessed by AFP journalists in Orenburg’s regional capital.

The focal point of concern now shifts to the Kurgan region, situated further east, where Governor Vadim Shumkov warns of an imminent crisis. The rapid escalation of the Tobol River’s water level, exacerbated by ongoing rainfall, precipitates a precarious scenario. Despite official advisories, some residents remain hesitant to evacuate, eliciting concern and frustration from regional authorities.

According to projections by the Russian emergency services ministry, upwards of 18,000 individuals in the Kurgan region face the looming threat of displacement. Governor Shumkov’s appeal, disseminated via Telegram, implores residents to vacate inundated areas promptly, emphasizing the diminishing window of daylight for safe evacuation measures. Heightened apprehension underscores the possibility of resorting to precautionary measures such as switching off street lights for safety considerations come nightfall.