Unprecedented floodwaters continue to rise In Russia’s Far East – Some towns to be rebuilt in new, flood-safe areas

29 August 2013 (RFE/RL) – The level of the Amur River near the city of Khabarovsk in Russia’s Far East has reached a record high of 750 centimeters as devastating floods caused by heavy rains continue. Dams have been quickly built near Khabarovsk to protect two major power stations from water levels as high as 900 centimeters. The presidential envoy in the Far East, Viktor Ishaev, said on August 28 that heating system in the city will be seriously affected by the floods. Ishaev added that the coal and gold mining industries as well as farms in the region have been severely damaged. He said some towns in the regions of Amur, Khabarovsk, Yakutia, and the Jewish Autonomous Oblast will be rebuilt in new, flood-safe areas. The floods, which are considered Russia’s worst in 120 years, are expected to last for a month.

Unprecedented Floodwaters Continue To Rise In Russia’s Far East

25 August 2013 (RFE/RL) – Russian military and firefighting units are continuing evacuation work in Russia’s Far East, which has been stricken by two weeks of heavy flooding. Army servicemen using boats and aircraft have evacuated some 550 people from the Jewish Autonomous Region, a territory located along the banks of the Amur River. Emergency workers say the Amur, swollen by heavy rain, is expected to continue to rise to as much as eight meters over its normal level in the coming days. Rescue crews have raced to build 1,000 meters of dykes and lay 7,000 sandbags in an effort to prevent floodwaters from submerging nearby towns. Over 50,000 people have been affected by the disaster, which is considered Russia’s worst flooding in 120 years.

Evacuations Continue In Russia’s Flood-Ridden Far East