Summer floods causes chaos in Russian Far East zone

(MENAFN) Heavy summer rains have caused widespread flooding in the Yakutia Republic in Russia’s Far East, submerging dozens of homes and forcing numerous residents to evacuate.

The crisis began when the Indigirka River breached its banks earlier this week, with water levels rising by 40 to 60 centimeters within just a day. The intense rainfall caught local communities by surprise, pushing many to flee their homes, according to media accounts.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency and initiated continuous rescue efforts. Helicopters and drones are being used to deliver essential supplies—such as food, heaters, and generators—to villages cut off by the floodwaters.

Yakutia’s governor, Aysen Nikolayev, stated on Telegram Friday that the situation remains serious and that damage assessments will begin once conditions improve.

In one incident in the village of Khara-Tumul, residents posted videos showing cattle stranded on a hill after escaping the flood zone. Local officials later confirmed that the animals were rescued safely.

While water levels are now slowly declining in certain locations, emergency teams remain on high alert, with extra patrols dispatched to maintain public safety.

Experts noted that such rapid flooding is uncommon for the Indigirka River and attributed it to heavy rainfall in central and mountainous areas of Yakutia. Although flooding is not unusual in Russia’s Far East during warmer months, this event stands out due to its sudden onset and severity.

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