storm
Thousands evacuated after floods in Russia
Residents in the Orenburg region are forced to evacuate after part of the dam burst, causing flooding. photo
© —/Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service/AP/dpa
In Russia, a dam broke due to the beginning of spring floods. The first major city was flooded, the public prosecutor is investigating and new floods are threatening.
According to authorities, a dam that was supposed to stop the flooding of the Ural River broke. More than 2,400 houses in the city were flooded. In Orsk alone, more than 2,000 people were evacuated, and civil defense is also bringing people to safety in other towns in the region.
Criminal proceedings for negligence
Two dead people were found during an inspection of the flooded old town. The cause of death is not yet known; according to official information, they did not drown. The authorities have denied media reports of further victims.
The public prosecutor’s office has opened criminal proceedings for negligence in connection with the floods. The background could be an inspection of the dam by the technical supervisory authority Rostechnadzor in 2020. 38 deficiencies were identified and their rectification was ordered. It is unclear whether this happened.
The mayor’s office in the regional capital further west also sounded the alarm in Orenburg. The Urals are said to have already reached a water level of 8.55 meters and are continuing to rise rapidly. The situation is critical, said Mayor Sergei Salmin and called on citizens to evacuate.