In Photos: Russia's Orenburg Region Hit With Worst Flooding in Decades
Russia declared a state of emergency in the Orenburg region as it grappled with the worst flooding in decades, with further flooding expected both in Orenburg and in western Siberia's Kurgan and Tyumen regions.
The Ural River overran its banks in the town of Orsk over the weekend after torrential rain burst a nearby dam, leaving the city submerged in water and forcing thousands from their homes.
Downstream, Kazakhstan is also experiencing some of its worst floods in decades.
Emergency services warned that the combination of rain and snow melt amid unusually warm temperatures could cause more rivers to overflow, with flooding expected to peak in some cities on Wednesday.
Rescuers have headed to the region to assist in flooded areas and are preparing for worse to come.
Here are some photos of the flooding and rescue efforts in Orsk and Orenburg:
The Ural River overran its banks in the town of Orsk over the weekend after torrential rain burst a nearby dam, leaving the city submerged in water and forcing thousands from their homes.
Downstream, Kazakhstan is also experiencing some of its worst floods in decades.
Emergency services warned that the combination of rain and snow melt amid unusually warm temperatures could cause more rivers to overflow, with flooding expected to peak in some cities on Wednesday.
Rescuers have headed to the region to assist in flooded areas and are preparing for worse to come.
Here are some photos of the flooding and rescue efforts in Orsk and Orenburg:
A view of flood-hit Gagarin Square in the town of Orsk, which has a population of around 200,000 people.
Yegor Aleyev / TASS
A man rows a boat through the flooded streets.
Yegor Aleyev / TASS
Orsk's Old Town has been inundated by the Ural River.
Yegor Aleyev / TASS
People use an inflatable dinghy in a flood-hit area after a local dam broke in several places in Orsk.
Yegor Aleyev / TASS
A view of a flood-hit area in the town of Orsk. The Kremlin said Monday that over 10,000 residential buildings had been flooded.
Yegor Aleyev / TASS
An aerial view shows flood-hit areas of Orsk, 240 kilometers east of the regional capital, Orenburg.
Yegor Aleyev / TASS
A school in a flooded street of Orsk. While waters are receding in Orsk, they continue to rise in Orenburg.
Yegor Aleyev / TASS
People walk through thigh-high water in the flooded settlement of Priuralye, in the Orenburg region.
Sergei Medvedev / TASS
A view of the flooding in Orenburg, a city with a population of 560,000.
Moscow Times Reporter
A view of the flooding in Orenburg.
Moscow Times Reporter
A view of the flooding in Orenburg.
Moscow Times Reporter
A view of the flooding in Orenburg.
Moscow Times Reporter
A view of the flooding in Orenburg.
Moscow Times Reporter
A view of the flooding in Orenburg.
Moscow Times Reporter
A view of the flooding in Orenburg.
Moscow Times Reporter
Two dogs were rescued from rising water in Orsk, which is home to over 200,000 people.
Russian Emergencies Ministry
Families took their pets with them as they were rescued by boat from flooded houses.
Russian Emergencies Ministry
Rescuers bring a dog from a flooded house to safety in Orsk.
Russian Emergencies Ministry
