Some residents in the city of Orsk in Orenburg Region are being evacuated
Around 4,000 households are at risk of flooding after a dam holding back the Ural River suffered a breach in the city of Orsk in Orenburg Region.
The breach that forced the evacuations happened near the old town section of the city south of the river.
Earlier in the day, two leaks were discovered in the dam in the eastern part of the city. Maintenance crews were dispatched to repair the damage. Local authorities also warned residents to collect their documents and essential belongings and proceed to temporary accommodation centers.
The region has been experiencing heavy rains and flooding in recent days. On Friday, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations dispatched two planes with special equipment and more than 100 personnel to Orsk to help mitigate the threat.
Among the equipment were 20 boats and a pumping rig capable of pumping out up to 350 liters of water per second.
Orsk is the second largest city in the region, which is located near the Russian border with Kazakhstan. Founded in 1735, the city was originally named Orenburg.
❗️Thousands in danger after Russian dam collapseA dike holding back the Ural River suffered a breach in the city of Orsk in Orenburg RegionRead: https://t.co/qM6YMiBz0Dpic.twitter.com/ij6Qx1NhR1
— RT (@RT_com) April 5, 2024
