Russia’s Far East hit by biggest floods in 120 years
August 19, 2013
Up to 100,000 people may be evacuated from flood-hit regions in Russia’s Far East. Water levels at local reservoirs have already reached historic highs, and officials say the floods raging in the area are expected to continue rising even further. Floods are currently affecting over 32,500 locals living in over 5,000 homes. Over 17,000 residents have already left the area over the disaster. Over 17,000 residents have already left the area over the disaster. Dozens of bridges have been swamped by the waters, complicating the evacuation. Authorities are dealing with the consequences of the disaster, with over 200 tons of relief cargoes being delivered by aircraft to the affected region. 30,000 people are mobilized to cope with the flood with the help of 5,000 vehicles, boats and aircraft. Emergency workers are flying over the affected area, monitoring the water level around the clock. They are asking people to leave their homes, but for those who didn't have time to quit the region, boat evacuation is planned. Medics have begun vaccinating to prevent an epidemic of infections such as typhoid fever and hepatitis, while locals have started drinking only boiled water as a precaution. The city of Kabarovsk (600,000) and the Jewish Autonomous Zone have been hit very hard.
August 19, 2013
Up to 100,000 people may be evacuated from flood-hit regions in Russia’s Far East. Water levels at local reservoirs have already reached historic highs, and officials say the floods raging in the area are expected to continue rising even further. Floods are currently affecting over 32,500 locals living in over 5,000 homes. Over 17,000 residents have already left the area over the disaster. Over 17,000 residents have already left the area over the disaster. Dozens of bridges have been swamped by the waters, complicating the evacuation. Authorities are dealing with the consequences of the disaster, with over 200 tons of relief cargoes being delivered by aircraft to the affected region. 30,000 people are mobilized to cope with the flood with the help of 5,000 vehicles, boats and aircraft. Emergency workers are flying over the affected area, monitoring the water level around the clock. They are asking people to leave their homes, but for those who didn't have time to quit the region, boat evacuation is planned. Medics have begun vaccinating to prevent an epidemic of infections such as typhoid fever and hepatitis, while locals have started drinking only boiled water as a precaution. The city of Kabarovsk (600,000) and the Jewish Autonomous Zone have been hit very hard.
On the other side of the border, the northeast provinces of China are also experiencing severe flooding...
Relief supplies sent to flood-hit areas in NE China
BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese central authorities on Saturday sent relief supplies to floods-hit areas in northeast China's Liaoning and Jilin provinces. The National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a Level IV emergency disaster relief response at 17:00 p.m. Saturday, with a special work team dispatched to the region to guide local relief efforts. A total of 3,000 tents, 5,000 cotton quilts, 2,000 folding beds and 3,000 sleeping bags were sent to help disaster victims. Floods since Wednesday have claimed 13 lives and left nine missing in Jilin province, according to civil affairs bureau of the province. The floods also forced the evacuation of 52,000 people and resulted in direct economic losses up to 2,400 million yuan (about 390 million U.S. dollars), with 89,000 people affected by the disaster, according to the bureau. In neighboring province of Liaoning, the floods killed one person and another is missing, with 1.52 million people affected and 12,600 evacuated in the province, according to local civil affairs authorities.
BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese central authorities on Saturday sent relief supplies to floods-hit areas in northeast China's Liaoning and Jilin provinces. The National Commission for Disaster Reduction and the Ministry of Civil Affairs issued a Level IV emergency disaster relief response at 17:00 p.m. Saturday, with a special work team dispatched to the region to guide local relief efforts. A total of 3,000 tents, 5,000 cotton quilts, 2,000 folding beds and 3,000 sleeping bags were sent to help disaster victims. Floods since Wednesday have claimed 13 lives and left nine missing in Jilin province, according to civil affairs bureau of the province. The floods also forced the evacuation of 52,000 people and resulted in direct economic losses up to 2,400 million yuan (about 390 million U.S. dollars), with 89,000 people affected by the disaster, according to the bureau. In neighboring province of Liaoning, the floods killed one person and another is missing, with 1.52 million people affected and 12,600 evacuated in the province, according to local civil affairs authorities.
The flood-waters are not expected to fully recede until September. A disaster for millions.
Comment