In an unprecedented weather event, Russia and Kazakhstan have ordered the evacuation of more than 100,000 people due to severe flooding. The disaster, the worst in at least 70 years, was triggered by rapidly melting snow that caused mighty rivers to swell beyond their capacity.
The Ural Mountains and Siberia regions, along with areas in Kazakhstan near the Ural and Tobol rivers, were particularly hard hit. Local officials reported that river levels rose by meters within hours, reaching record-breaking heights.
On Tuesday night, the Ural River in Orenburg, a city with a population of around 550,000, surged to 9.31 meters (30.5 feet), just surpassing the critical threshold of 9.30 meters. Denis Pasler, the governor of Orenburg, took to Telegram to urge residents in high-risk areas to evacuate immediately.
Residents witnessed streets turning into waterways as they navigated their homes by paddling cars and other vehicles. In response, local authorities were seen reinforcing dams and embankments to contain the floodwaters.
Earlier on Friday, floodwaters breached an embankment dam in the city of Orsk, located upstream on the Ural River. While water levels in Orsk have since decreased by 21 centimeters (8.27 inches) to 9.07 meters, they remain significantly above the official danger level of around 7 meters. Russia's Emergencies Ministry has stated that while water levels have receded in some regions, the situation remains "still difficult."
The Ural River, Europe's third-longest river, flows through Russia and Kazakhstan before emptying into the Caspian Sea. The recent floods highlight the growing challenges posed by extreme weather events and the urgent need for effective disaster management strategies. 🌍💧
