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Heavy floods in Russia inundate scores of homes, displacing hundreds

More than 800 homes have been flooded in 11 Russian regions, the Emergencies Ministry says

MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. More than 800 homes have been flooded in 11 Russian regions, the Emergencies Ministry press service told TASS.

"As many as 811 dwelling houses in which over 2,200 people live, as well as 3,000 residential yards remain flooded in the Tuva, Khakassia, Altai, Irkutsk, Saratov, Volgograd, Rostov, Voronezh, Lipetsk and Ryazan Regions," the source said. Ten low-water bridges and five roads were also inundated. "More than 400 people have been relocated due to security concerns, including 119 children, 61 of them staying in temporary accommodation shelters," the Emergencies Ministry reported. By the same token, the ministry specified that no economic facilities were flooded.

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The most complicated situation is in the Volgograd Region, where floodwaters submerged 790 dwelling houses in 31 communities, in which more than 2,100 people live. Consequently, 359 residents were forced to abandon their homes due to the disaster.

The situation is improving in the Altai and Tuva Regions, and the number of flooded homes is waning.

Crisis centers and emergency crews are operating in flood-stricken areas. "First responders and members of other services are going round yards, pumping out water, delivering products, as well as checking gas systems and filling low-lying areas with soil," the Emergencies Ministry said. Rescue teams and medical workers are on duty in the communities. Joint emergency crews are working round-the-clock to monitor the developments, water levels at gauging stations, and hydraulic engineering installations. "Ongoing space monitoring and modelling of the events with regard to neighboring communities are being carried out, and unmanned aircraft systems are being actively used," the Emergencies Ministry specified.

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