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Water level in Russia’s Orenburg rises to 978 cm — mayor’s office

According to forecasts, the water level in the Ural River may increase by another 30 cm to 70 cm on Wednesday

ORENBURG, April 10. /TASS/. Levels of the Ural River in Orenburg have risen by 81 cm over the past day to exceed the danger level, the southwest Russian city’s municipal authorities said.

Earlier, First Vice-Mayor Alexey Kudinov said the level stood at 965 cm.

"Over the past 24 hours, the water level in the Ural River has increased by 81 cm. As of 8:00 a.m. local time (4:00 a.m. GMT - TASS), the water level in the Ural River has reached 978 cm," the authorities said in a statement, citing a local weather center.

Floodwaters rose past the danger level of 930 cm last evening and the level is still growing, officials said. According to forecasts, it may increase by another 30 cm to 70 cm on Wednesday.

The partial collapse of a dam in Orsk, second largest city of Russia’s Orenburg Region, occurred in two places on the night of April 6. Another breach took place on the evening of the same day. According to the latest information, over 12,400 houses have been flooded in the region, including in Orenburg. As many as 6,900 people have been evacuated. The regional authorities have declared a federal emergency. The worst flooding is expected in Orenburg later on Wednesday.