Emergency in Southern Russia Orsk Flood... 4,518 Houses Submerged

Local media including TASS reported that over 4,500 houses were flooded due to heavy rain and dam collapse in Orsk, Orenburg Oblast, southern Russia.

Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of Emergency Situations of Russia, announced on the 7th (local time) that a federal emergency was declared in the Orenburg Oblast region due to the Orsk flood.

He explained that since the dam on the Ural River collapsed on the 5th, 4,518 houses and 4,587 residential lands have been flooded, and more than 4,000 evacuees, including 885 children, have been evacuated.

Authorities in Orenburg Oblast stated, "The flood situation is unfolding according to the worst-case scenario," noting that 6,644 houses are located in the flood-affected areas.

On the 7th (local time), residents are evacuating by boat due to flooding in Orsk, Orenburg Oblast, southern Russia.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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Authorities warned that the water level of the Ural River rose by 28 cm overnight and is currently at a dangerous level, expected to rise further. The river level in Orsk was measured at 9.6 meters.

Orenburg Oblast authorities issued evacuation orders to all residents living in the flooded areas and stated that those who do not evacuate voluntarily will be forcibly evacuated using police forces.

Currently, 11 temporary shelters capable of accommodating over 8,000 people have been set up, and rescue workers are assisting residents' evacuation by boat.

Russian President Vladimir Putin urgently dispatched Minister Kurenkov to Orsk on the morning of the same day as the flood situation worsened. A state of emergency has also been activated in northern and western regions of neighboring Kazakhstan due to large-scale flooding.

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