🌊 Water, Water Everywhere! Russia and Kazakhstan are facing their worst floods in over 70 years, forcing more than 100,000 people to leave their homes.
Melting snow has caused rivers like the Ural and Tobol to swell rapidly, overwhelming towns in the Ural Mountains, Siberia, and nearby regions. Local officials reported that river levels rose by meters in just a few hours—breaking all previous records!
In Orenburg, a Russian city with around 550,000 residents, the Ural River reached a staggering 9.31 meters (30.5 feet) late on Tuesday, surpassing the critical level. The governor, Denis Pasler, urged everyone in affected areas to evacuate promptly. He said on Telegram, \"I am calling for caution and for those in flooded districts to evacuate promptly.\"
People were seen paddling through city streets as if they were canals, Venice-style 🇮🇹 (but without the romance). Emergency teams are working round the clock to reinforce dams and embankments.
Upstream in the city of Orsk, the situation is just as challenging. Last Friday, floodwaters burst through an embankment dam. Although water levels have since dropped by 21 centimeters (8.27 inches), they remain dangerously high at 9.07 meters—well above the danger mark of 7 meters.
Russia's Emergencies Ministry described the situation as \"still difficult,\" even though water levels have declined in some areas.
Did you know? The Ural River is Europe's third-longest river, flowing through Russia and Kazakhstan into the Caspian Sea. It's a vital lifeline for many communities—making these floods even more impactful.
As the waters rise, so does community spirit. People are coming together to support each other, exemplifying resilience in the face of adversity.
Stay safe out there! If you're in the affected areas, follow official updates and prioritize your safety. 🌟
Reference(s):
Russia, Kazakhstan evacuate over 100,000 people amid flooding
cgtn.com
