A dam breach in the city of Orsk, Russia, near the Kazakhstan border, has triggered a large-scale evacuation effort, with over 4,000 people relocated to safety.
Emergency crews have been working around the clock since Friday’s dam failure, caused by heavy rainfall in the region. The Orenburg Governor’s spokesperson confirmed that 4,208 residents, including over 1,000 children, have been evacuated. The flooding has impacted more than 2,500 homes.
Authorities launched a criminal investigation into the incident, citing potential “negligence and violation of construction safety regulations” related to the dam, which was only built in 2014.
The situation remains critical across the region, with officials warning of dangerously high water levels in the Ural River, particularly in the major city of Orenburg. Governor Denis Pasler confirmed that while floodwaters have peaked, the city of Orsk faces particularly dire conditions.
Russian emergency services have released images showcasing rescue teams navigating flooded villages using boats and hovercrafts.
The incident has also impacted neighboring Kazakhstan. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called the floods one of the worst natural disasters in his country in eight decades. He urged authorities to be prepared to assist those affected.
The dam breach adds to concerns about flooding in several regions across the Urals and western Siberia as spring arrives.
