Seven dead, thousands lose homes as severe flooding hits Russia’s Siberia
Seven people have died in floods that have devastated the Russian Siberian region of Irkutsk, Russia Today reported. The water also drove several thousand people from their homes.
“According to the latest data, seven people fell victim to the flood. Nine are missing, a child is among them,” TASS news agency reported on Monday, quoting a source at the regional emergency services. Some 153 more people have been injured and are currently in hospital, with over 600 more seeking medical help.
Severe flooding has been caused by torrential rains that hit the region last week. Water levels of some rivers quickly rose to more than two meters. A state of emergency was declared with about 3,300 homes in 55 settlements flooded and nearly 10 thousand people affected so far, according to Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.