NewsFloods ravage Russia: Orenburg submerged as cries for help rise

Floods ravage Russia: Orenburg submerged as cries for help rise

Disaster in Russia. Residents have had enough.

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9:32 AM EDT, April 15, 2024

Russia is grappling with a severe flood situation. On Saturday, the water level in the Ural River within the city of Orenburg surged past 36 feet, leaving many residents with their homes submerged and some facing the loss of a lifetime's earnings, feeling utterly helpless. A video shared by a Ukrainian politician captures the residents' cries of despair.

The situation in Russia has become exceedingly challenging. According to the Emergency Situations Ministry, the water level in the Ural River in flood-hit Orenburg, located in southwest Russia, reached approximately 39 feet on Saturday, a significant rise from its level of around 30 feet just a few days earlier.

The Ural River, originating from the mountains bearing the same name, has overflowed its entire length, spanning 1491 miles. This event marks the most severe flood to hit the Orenburg region in Russia in decades. Kasym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of neighboring Kazakhstan, noted that the floods affecting his country are likely the most catastrophic in 80 years.

The flooding situation has escalated to such an extent that in Orenburg alone, an additional 900 plots and 361 houses were submerged in a single night, leading to the evacuation of 99 residents.

In other areas, authorities are urging thousands to evacuate in the face of rising waters. Social media videos show heart-wrenching scenes, such as a Russian woman grieving over her apartment, which was completely inundated, destroying her life's work.

Anton Herashchenko, an advisor to the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, criticized the Russian authorities' priorities, stating, "Russians mourn flooded homes. The authorities in Russia prefer to invest in the production of military equipment and missiles while reinforcing the levees can wait."

The situation in Russia continues to deteriorate, with regions being flooded successively. However, President Vladimir Putin has yet to announce significant aid for the affected residents, leaving many in dire straits.