Siberia : the worst flood for the past 45 years

Russia
June 5, 2014　


Itar-Tass


More than 20,000 people cannot return to their homes and apartments in Altai Territory, hit by the worst flood for the past 45 years, Governor Alexander Karlin has said.

Totally 29,000 people were evacuated from 72 villages in 14 rural areas and the city of Biysk. As of May 4 a total of 8,756 houses and 9,087 farmlands were flooded.

Heavy rains hit Siberia - Altai Territory, the Republic of Khakassia and the Altai Republic. Thousands of houses have been flooded. Rescuers are evacuating the flood-hit people. A state of emergency has been introduced in the three regions.

One citizen died in Altai Territory and five went missing, the chief of the Interior Department for Altai Territory, Oleg Torubarov said.

Policemen are on high alert in 14 flooded areas, he said.

The water level rises to a critical level in the Republic of Altai, Tyva, Khakassia and Altai Territory.






According to the republic’s authorities, there is no electricity in six villages because “forty-eight transmission towers were flooded”.

Electricity supply is expected to be restored by June 1-4, the authorities say.
Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev emphasised the need to rapidly estimate the damage to the flood-hit Siberia and determine the amount of compensations.

Russia’s Emergencies Minister Vladimir Punchkov said people, who were struck by the flood in Siberia, could be provided from 10,000 roubles to 100,000 roubles for the loss of property.