Devastating Floods Hit Russia and Kazakhstan with a Grim Outlook Ahead
Recent floods have inundated regions in Russia and Kazakhstan as a major river overflowed, leading to the evacuation of over 100,000 individuals and triggering widespread discontent towards the government.
Parts of Russia and Kazakhstan are currently experiencing severe flooding due to the overflowing of the Ural River. The river, which is Europe's third-longest, passes through the Ural Mountains in Russia before flowing into the Caspian Sea through Kazakhstan. This week, the river swelled from snow melt, leading to flooding in numerous towns and cities along the border. As a result, more than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate from their homes, and some have even staged protests against the authorities.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the flooding as possibly the worst disaster in over 80 years in terms of its size and impact.
In the Orenburg region of Russia, nearly 13,000 residential buildings were flooded, leading to the evacuation of more than 7,700 individuals, as announced by the local government on Wednesday. The water levels in Orenburg city rose to 996 centimeters (approximately 33 feet), surpassing the official critical level of 930 centimeters, as reported by the mayor.
"The weather forecast doesn't look good. The water level is still going up in areas hit by floods," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed reporters on Wednesday.
According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be briefed on Wednesday by the governors of the three regions most impacted by the floods: Orenburg, Kurgan, and Tyumen. The governor of Kurgan has cautioned that the region is bracing for a significant increase in water levels from Thursday to Sunday.
A woman walks near her flooded house in Orenburg on Wednesday.
A woman walks near her flooded house in Orenburg on Wednesday.
Peskov mentioned that despite the crisis, Putin does not have any plans to visit the flooded regions. This is because local officials are already carrying out intense work and ensuring that the population is receiving all the necessary assistance.
Peskov mentioned that despite his physical absence, he remains actively involved in the matter and handles related issues all day long.
Residents have been reaching out to the president for help multiple times. Videos shared on social media displayed a large group of protestors outside Orsk City Hall in Orenburg, shouting “Shame! Shame!” and appealing for Putin's assistance. Other clips depicted demonstrators accusing the government of inaction and condemning the city's mayor, Vasily Kozupitsa.
"We provide pies, dumplings, and thermoses to emergency ministry workers. It's a shame that Kozupitsa can't even support them," one woman expressed.
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, also voiced criticism towards the Kremlin.
It seems like the authorities in our country are never ready for anything. In winter, they are caught off guard by frost and snowstorms, in summer - by fires, and in spring - by floods. This was shared on X by a concerned citizen on Tuesday.
An aerial view shows the edge of the Kazakh city of Petropavl on Wednesday.
An aerial view shows the edge of the Kazakh city of Petropavl on Wednesday.
Evgeniy Lukyanov/AFP/Getty Images
Navalnaya shared videos on Telegram showing local officials responding unsympathetically to affected residents. In one video, Orenburg governor Denis Pasler says he should be on vacation instead of dealing with the floods. In another, he tells people to stop recording his comments and put away their phones.
Navalnaya compared the situation to the Soviet Union, where disasters were often covered up instead of being properly addressed.
In another video, Russia’s Emergency Situations Minister Aleksandr Kurenkov stated that the evacuation was announced a week ago, but the public chose not to leave because they thought it was a joke. However, a resident of Orsk contradicted this, saying there was no warning given.
South of the border, the government of Kazakhstan reported that over 96,000 individuals have been evacuated. Among them, nearly 3,000 were airlifted from flood-affected areas, while more than 7,600 are currently staying in temporary accommodation, as mentioned by Yerassyl Saipash, a senior officer at the Kazakh Emergencies Ministry.
More than 8.5 million tons of meltwater has been removed, according to Kazinform, a Kazakh state media outlet.
On Wednesday, Putin and his Kazakh counterpart discussed the situation, as reported by the Kremlin.
Editor's P/S:
The devastating floods in Russia and Kazakhstan have caused widespread displacement and suffering, leaving over 100,000 people homeless. The overflowing Ural River has inundated towns and cities, prompting evacuations and protests against the authorities' perceived inaction. The scale of the disaster has been described as unprecedented in over 80 years, with Russian officials warning that water levels are still rising. Despite calls for assistance from residents, President Putin has chosen not to visit the affected regions, citing the ongoing efforts of local officials. Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, over 96,000 people have been evacuated, with the government working to provide temporary accommodation and remove millions of tons of meltwater.
The flooding has exposed systemic issues in disaster preparedness and response in both countries. Residents have criticized the lack of timely evacuation orders and the inadequate support provided by local authorities. The situation has also highlighted the need for better coordination between national and regional governments in addressing such emergencies. The ongoing discussions between President Putin and his Kazakh counterpart may lead to increased cooperation and support for the affected populations. However, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be sufficient to mitigate the long-term impact of the flooding and prevent similar disasters in the future.
