15,600 houses and 28,000 residential properties were submerged in water, the situation was particularly dangerous in the Kurgan region on the border with Kazakhstan, where the Tobol River in western Siberia rose by 1.5 meters to almost 6. meters within a 24-hour period. The report said.
The Orenburg region in the west also saw record levels along the Ura River, which takes spring runoff from the Ural Mountain stream.
Exceptional flooding this spring washed away roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the area. Authorities in the cities of Orenburg and Orsk have estimated damage at more than 40 billion rubles ($430 million), but the final figure may be higher.
Dozens of bridges have been closed to traffic, and health officials have launched a vaccination campaign against hepatitis A amid concerns about water quality.
There are complaints that authorities responded too late and assistance was inadequate and delayed. According to officials, 19 localities and 33 regions, including Samara and Omsk, have been affected.
Preparations are also being made in the Novosibirsk region in the east, where flooding of major rivers is expected.
Kurgan Governor Vadim Shumkov has urged residents to pack documents, valuables and clothes and move to safe areas. The situation was extremely difficult and worsening, he posted on the Telegram messaging service.
He said police along with members of sports clubs are patrolling to prevent looting.
dan/
The Orenburg region in the west also saw record levels along the Ura River, which takes spring runoff from the Ural Mountain stream.
Exceptional flooding this spring washed away roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the area. Authorities in the cities of Orenburg and Orsk have estimated damage at more than 40 billion rubles ($430 million), but the final figure may be higher.
Dozens of bridges have been closed to traffic, and health officials have launched a vaccination campaign against hepatitis A amid concerns about water quality.
There are complaints that authorities responded too late and assistance was inadequate and delayed. According to officials, 19 localities and 33 regions, including Samara and Omsk, have been affected.
Preparations are also being made in the Novosibirsk region in the east, where flooding of major rivers is expected.
Kurgan Governor Vadim Shumkov has urged residents to pack documents, valuables and clothes and move to safe areas. The situation was extremely difficult and worsening, he posted on the Telegram messaging service.
He said police along with members of sports clubs are patrolling to prevent looting.
dan/
