JavaScript is off. Please enable to view full site.

Russia evacuates 19,000 from flooded Far East

Russia evacuates 19,000 from flooded Far East

Monday, August 19, 2013, 20:24 GMT+7

Floods in the Russian Far East broke historic records Monday as authorities evacuated over 19,000 people from affected areas and warned of a further rise in water levels.

Levels in the Amur river which flows from Russia to China broke historic records in the city of Khabarovsk and rain continued to batter the region as authorities sent out bottled water and administered shelters for displaced residents.

Russia's state weather service Rosgidromet forecast a further rise in water levels because of the continuing rains in the Khabarovsk region.

The maximum rise is expected later this week, head of Rosgidromet Alexander Frolov said on television.

Over 19,000 people have been evacuated from the regions of Amur, Khabarovsk, and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, the emergency ministry said.

The Amur river is expected to rise in Khabarovsk, a city of 600,000 people, to nearly eight metres (26 feet), the regional branch of the emergency ministry said.

It warned of imminent flooding of key streets and energy infrastructure.

Water also damaged the region's agriculture, with 57 percent of all crops hit by the flood in the Amur region, according to the agriculture ministry.

Massive rains since the end of July saw the Amur River -- which borders northeastern China -- burst its banks, as well as one of its tributaries the Zeya.

AFP

More

Read more

;

Photos

VIDEOS

‘Taste of Australia’ gala dinner held in Ho Chi Minh City after 2-year hiatus

Taste of Australia Gala Reception has returned to the Park Hyatt Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Vietnamese woman gives unconditional love to hundreds of adopted children

Despite her own immense hardship, she has taken in and cared for hundreds of orphans over the past three decades.

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta celebrates spring with ‘hat boi’ performances

The art form is so popular that it attracts people from all ages in the Mekong Delta

Vietnamese youngster travels back in time with clay miniatures

Each work is a scene caught by Dung and kept in his memories through his journeys across Vietnam

Latest news