State of Emergency Declared in Parts of Sverdlovsk Region Over Severe Storms and Flooding
Heavy rains and thunderstorms have caused widespread flooding in Russia's Sverdlovsk region, leaving over 10,000 people without power and prompting evacuations.
A state of emergency has been declared in several municipalities of Russia's Sverdlovsk region following severe storms and flooding that struck the Ural Mountains area last Friday. The heavy rainfall caused power outages for more than 10,000 residents across 25 towns and villages. Regional traffic police reported that nearly 100 road sections have been submerged, a stark increase compared to the roughly 10 sections typically affected during the annual spring floods.
Governor Denis Pasler stated that rising river levels have flooded highways and damaged or washed out multiple bridges. Authorities confirmed that road access was cut off to at least 27 settlements. Videos from local news outlets showed emergency responders using tractor buckets to evacuate residents from flooded areas.
As of Tuesday, six municipal districts, home to about 40% of the region's population, had declared a state of emergency, according to the regional branch of Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry. A seventh district, Irbitsky, has been under a state of emergency since the weekend, and the town of Irbit issued its own declaration on Tuesday after the national weather service warned of dangerous river levels.
Governor Pasler noted on Monday that while precipitation is gradually receding, flooding continues in some populated areas and at infrastructure sites. Rescue operations are underway to assess damage and provide assistance to those affected.
