Preliminary damage from floods in the Orenburg region is estimated at 40 billion rubles

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on liquidation of the consequences of floods in the Orenburg, Kurgan and Tyumen regions. Governor of the Orenburg region Denis Pasler reported that preliminary damage from flooding exceeds 40 billion rubles.

“The region sent documents to the government on a preliminary assessment of the damage. The amount exceeds 40 billion rubles, but it is clear that this is a very preliminary amount, because the water has not yet receded and we have not started a full examination,” said Mr. Pasler (quoted from website Kremlin).

The Orenburg governor added that floods in the region had reached their peak. The most difficult situation now, according to him, is in Orenburg. In Orsk, the situation has stabilized, the water level has dropped by another 14 cm. He warned that another 3.5 thousand houses could be flooded in the region.

Governor of the Kurgan region Vadim Shumkov said that a dam with a total length of 30 km is currently being strengthened in the region. They intend to raise its level to 1100 cm, and even higher in the most dangerous areas. He added that tomorrow the head of the Russian Ministry of Construction, Irek Faizullin, will come to the region to assess the possible consequences of the flood.

The flood situation in the Tyumen region on the Tobol and Ishim rivers is currently calm, said Governor Alexander Moor. According to forecasts, the rivers are expected to overflow their banks by April 13, with the most difficult situation expected by April 20. The peak of the flood in the region should occur on April 23-25.

Vladimir Putin said at the meeting that the Kremlin and the regions communicate with each other almost daily. The situation, he said, is changing hourly. It is necessary to think about restoring housing in flood zones now, the president added. He also said that the departments are working coherently and asked to regularly report to him on the restoration of the affected regions.

The meeting takes place via video link. It is attended by the governors of the flooded regions, as well as presidential aide Maxim Oreshkin, the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Alexander Kurenkov, the Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov and the head of the Ministry of Construction Irek Faizullin.

Read more about the flood situation in Kommersant’s text. “Big water moves on”.

Petr Buzlaev