MOSCOW, April 9. /TASS/. Russian Minister of Emergency Situations Alexander Kurenkov ordered to establish a hotline to provide people with information about the evacuation operations after surveying the flooded areas of the Kurgan Region, the Ministry press office told TASS.
"The Minister ordered to establish a hotline on the basis of the Kurgan Region Ministry directorate, so that everyone could receive all necessary information about the evacuation, operation of temporary accommodation facilities and to apply for individual aid," the press office said.
The Minister reiterated the importance of timely evacuation of people from the territory that is subjected to flooding hazard.
"The people’s lives are the most valuable thing. Therefore, it is necessary to focus maximum efforts on carrying out a preemptive evacuation and ensuring the protection residence protection while the owners are away.
In addition, he noted the importance of notification of the people about the provided allowances, their categories and the application procedures.
"Right now, a significant portion of services are available through the state services website; the people must feel support and know their rights," Kurenkov said.
A state of emergency has been declared in the Kurgan Region since April 8. The water level in river Tobol, which flows through the region and crosses the regional capital city of Kurgan, is expected to rise above 11 meters. The city itself is within the potential flooding area. The authorities have already declared a preemptive evacuation from three neighborhoods and several settlements, located past the Kirovsky Bridge, which crosses the Tobol within city limits.
Kurgan is an importance economic and social center of the Ural Federal District, and an important transport node. By Tuesday morning, almost 690 people have been evacuated, including 100 children.