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Over 1,600 people evacuated from flood-hit areas in Siberia’s Altai region — governor

The number of people evacuated from flood-hit areas in Siberia’s Altai region has reached 1,682

BARNAUL, March 29. /TASS/. The number of people evacuated from flood-hit areas in Siberia’s Altai region has reached 1,682, regional governor Alexander Karlin said at a press conference on Thursday.

"As many as 64 settlements in 14 municipalities remain flooded, a total of 1,012 private houses with a population of 2,672 have been affected and 1,682 people, including 286 children, have been evacuated. More than 50 temporary accommodation centers have been set up in the region, but only six are currently in use, 177 people have found shelter there, while other 1,505 decided to stay with their family members and friends," Karlin said.

On Thursday, 70 people, including 30 children, were evacuated to the temporary accommodation center established in the town of Shipunovo. They underwent medical examination, which resulted in three kids being taken to the hospital for common cold.

According to the governor, the flood is expected to continue, moreover, in the coming days there is a risk of heavy rains in the piedmont and the water level may increase. This is why authorities have no plans to remove the recently declared state of emergency.

The flood that the Altai region suffered in 2014 was the strongest in 50 years, affecting 125 settlements with a population of around 47,000. The flood damage reached five bln rubles ($86.5 mln).