Emotions flare as unprecedented floods hit Russia's Urals region
In a city facing the most severe flooding on record, over 100 residents reached out to President Vladimir Putin for assistance on Monday, highlighting the escalating tensions and distress among affected individuals.
Over 100 Russians sought assistance from President Vladimir Putin on Monday in a city hit by the most severe flooding on record. They voiced their frustration by chanting "shame on you" at local officials whom they felt had not done enough to aid them.
The Orenburg region near Kazakhstan was placed under a state of emergency by Russia after the Ural River, Europe's third longest river, rapidly rose by several meters last Friday. The river breached a dam embankment in the city of Orsk.
Large parts of Orsk, a city with a population of 230,000 located approximately 1,800 km (1,100 miles) east of Moscow, are currently underwater.
According to a report from Tass news agency on Monday, the press service of Russia’s Emergencies Ministry stated that the flood waters in Orsk had decreased by 9 cm (3.5 inches) within a two-hour timeframe. Despite this improvement, the service cautioned that the situation in the city remains challenging, although water levels have started to recede in certain areas.
Rescuers are helping people who were trapped in their homes in a city in southern Russia that was flooded with water up to waist level. The flooding occurred after a river near Orsk burst its banks on Friday, causing water to rush into the city. 
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Residents in Orsk recently expressed their frustrations to the local administration, with some even chanting "shame on you" and calling for help from Putin. Video footage from the scene was shared by local media.
Many residents are dissatisfied with the compensation provided by authorities for their destroyed or severely damaged properties. Additionally, some are upset that the dam embankment constructed in 2010 failed to protect their city.
Orenburg Governor Denis Pasler addressed a group of residents in Orsk, emphasizing the importance of not assigning blame and turning against each other. He acknowledged the efforts of many residents who had been true patriots and tried to help with the rescue operations.
Pasler mentioned that amidst the challenges, some individuals had begun to cause issues. He shared that he had not taken the time to change his clothes or rest in days, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The governor called for unity among the community during this difficult time.
The regional prosecutor in Orenburg advised people to avoid participating in large gatherings.
He mentioned that the event has not been approved by the authorities as required by law.
An aerial view shows the scale of flooding in the city of Orsk, Orenburg Region, Russia.
An aerial view shows the scale of flooding in the city of Orsk, Orenburg Region, Russia.
Vladimir Astapkovich/Sputnik/AP
Emergency staff evacuate residents of flooded Orsk, following a dam breach in the city.
Emergency staff evacuate residents of flooded Orsk, following a dam breach in the city.
Vladimir Astapkovich/Sputnik/AP
After the dam embankment in Orsk was breached, Putin instructed Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov to inspect the area. He also conducted virtual meetings with governors of the impacted regions, such as Orenburg, Kurgan, and Tyumen.
There was frustration among residents due to Kurenkov's statement that locals had disregarded an evacuation order issued a week prior. According to Russian media reports, the evacuation did not commence until April 5.
Another section of the dam gave way on Monday, as seen in drone footage from state news agency Tass. The video revealed large areas of the city now resembling a massive lake, with homes submerged up to their rooftops.
The flooding has affected a large area.
More than 10,400 homes in Russia have been flooded, with the Urals, Siberia, the Volga, and central regions experiencing the most damage.
The Ural River originates in the Ural Mountains and empties into the Caspian Sea. In Orenburg, a city with over half a million residents located downstream from Orsk, the peak of the flooding is anticipated to occur on Wednesday, according to Russia's emergency ministry.
Video from Orsk showed one man wading through flood water reaching his neck. He held his keys in his mouth and a black cat above his head.
People try to remove water from their flooded house after a rainstorm on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
People try to remove water from their flooded house after a rainstorm on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
Pablo Porciuncula/AFP/Getty Images
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An emergency was declared in Tyumen region, a vital oil-producing area in Western Siberia, by Governor Alexander Moor.
Rising water levels were predicted in the Ishim and Tobol rivers in Siberia, which are tributaries of the Irtysh river. The Irtysh river, along with its main river, the Ob, makes up the world's seventh longest river system.
The mayor of Orenburg, Sergei Salmin, has stated that the Ural River is projected to surpass the previous record of 9.46 meters, with the current level at 8.93 meters.
Salmin emphasized the importance of everyone in the flood zone evacuating their homes without delay. He warned that the situation is expected to deteriorate over the next two days.
The governor of Kurgan region, Vadim Shumkov, warned in a video on Monday that 50 localities in his region, located northeast of Orenburg, could face flooding.
Shumkov urged residents living in areas along the Tobol River floodplain to evacuate immediately. He emphasized the importance of not waiting for the water to arrive, as it could come suddenly and swiftly, potentially in the form of a large wave.
In the city of Kurgan, home to over 300,000 people, he mentioned that the central area would be submerged by the floods, along with other districts.
The reason behind the severity of this year's floods in Russia was not immediately apparent, considering that the melting of snow is a regular occurrence.
Federal investigators have launched a criminal case for negligence and violating safety regulations regarding the construction of the embankment dam in Orsk. Prosecutors stated that the dam had not been properly maintained.
Editor's P/S:
The devastating floods in Russia have exposed the deep frustration and anger felt by residents towards local officials and the government. The chants of "shame on you" and the dissatisfaction with compensation reflect a lack of trust and a belief that their concerns are not being adequately addressed. The failure of the dam embankment, constructed in 2010, has also raised questions about the competence of authorities and the safety of infrastructure.
The flooding has brought to light the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters and the urgent need for effective disaster preparedness and response systems. The criminal investigation into the dam construction highlights the importance of accountability and the need to ensure that safety regulations are strictly adhered to. The situation in Russia serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence and insufficient infrastructure, and underscores the importance of investing in flood prevention measures and resilient communities.
