At Least Five People Killed, Hundreds Injured in Russia’s Flood-Hit Region (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Five people died and several others are missing after heavy floods in Russia's Irkutsk region on Saturday.
Drone footage reveals the extent of the flooding, with hundreds of houses almost completely submerged underwater after torrential rains hit the area.
According to Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), over 4000 homes and nearly 10 thousand people have been affected.
President Vladimir Putin travelled to the affected area as he returned from the G20 summit in Japan.
Emergency Situations Minister Yevgeny Zinichev told Interfax news agency that five people, one of whom is believed to be a child, have died as the massive Lake Baikal and Angara River have begun to burst their banks. At least 350 people have been injured, 100 of whom have had to be treated at local hospitals.
At least 10,000 people are affected by the floods brought on by torrential rains. At least 50 villages on the shores of Lake Baikal are inaccessible, and the larger city of Bratsk has also been affected. More than 4,000 buildings have been destroyed as well as many bridges and roads.
A state of emergency has been declared for the affected area, with officials warning that the worst may be yet to come as the rains continue.
This is the latest in a series of natural disasters to devastate the region in recent months, after a long drought led to severe wildfires that destroyed crops and buildings.
