:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/3YSCVRRROVDKTHXKZLKNMFYUMY.jpg "There are already more than 100,000 evacuated due to floods in Kazakhstan")
Over 100,000 Evacuated Due to Historic Flooding in Kazakhstan
Authorities in Russia and Kazakhstan have confirmed that more than 100,000 people have been evacuated as a result of severe flooding that has hit the region, marking the worst flooding in the last 70 years. The floods, triggered by accelerated thaw, have affected various regions including the Ural Mountains, Siberia, Atyrau, Aktobe, Akmola, Kostnai, and Pavlodar.
With the water level rising rapidly, many settlements near rivers such as the Ural and Tobol have been overwhelmed. The situation worsened when the Ural River broke a dam, causing further damage and flooding in the area. Residents were urged to evacuate quickly, with some having to row to safety through the flooded roads.
In cities like Orsk and Kurgan, where the water levels continue to rise, residents were called to leave their homes immediately. The Minister of Emergencies in Russia, Alexander Kurenkov, visited the affected regions to assess the situation and provide assistance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been in contact with Kazakh President Kasim-Yomart Tokaev to stay informed about the situation. However, criticism has arisen regarding the lack of assistance from the authorities and the lack of preparation for such emergencies.
The floods this year have surpassed previous critical flood events in 2012 and 2017. President Tokaev called on the international community to strengthen cooperation and provide resources to address this disaster. The situation remains challenging, with more difficult days expected in the coming weeks.