Floods in Yakutia (Russia) force hundreds to evacuate.

Hundreds of residents have been forced to evacuate as flooding has struck the Yakutia region in northern Russia.

The village of Betenkes in the Yakutia region was submerged in floodwaters in July 2022. (Illustrative photo: TASS)

Flooding is not unusual in May when temperatures begin to rise above 0℃ in the region. However, this year, the water level rose so rapidly that it caught the people of Yakutia by surprise. According to official reports, the floods caused no casualties, but infrastructure in Yakutia suffered significant damage, and many livestock died.

According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, a total of more than 1,600 homes in the area have been flooded. Over the past 24 hours, the Irtysh River's water level has not risen and is currently only about 10 meters high, but forecasts indicate the river could continue to rise until June.

Earlier, on May 15, regional governor Alexander Moor said that the flooding situation had worsened again in Russia's Tyumen province as the Irtysh River rose.

Mr. Moor wrote on Telegram: "The situation is getting worse again. Rising water is flowing from the Ishim River into the Irtysh River and the water is rapidly rising in Vagai district."

The dam in Vagai is overflowing with water (Photo: Handout)

Mr. Moor confirmed that the Irtysh River water level exceeded its highest point in 2016 and 2017 at Bolshoi Karagai village in Vagai district.

Governor Moor said: "The current water level has exceeded the 2017 level by 80 cm at the water monitoring station in Ust-Ishim village in Omsk province. We anticipate this water will also reach Vagai district. The main task now is to evacuate people, save their property, livestock and pets."

We continue to reinforce the dams and use sandbags. We are increasing our flood control personnel and equipment in the Vagai district. 52 employees of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations have been sent to the area."

The Irtysh River's water level has risen by 15 cm, to over 1.2 meters at Bolshoi Karagai in Vagai district, putting nearly 70 homes at risk of being submerged. A total of 15 communities in Vagai district could be flooded.

Meanwhile, the water level of the Ishim River has begun to recede in Ishim town and the districts of Abatskoye, Kazanskoye, and Vikulovo, and the flood situation is gradually stabilizing.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lu-lut-o-yakutia-nga-hang-tram-nguoi-phai-so-tan-post384305.html