Devendra Kumar
As the Ural River’s waters continue to rise, authorities in Orenburg, Russia, have been forced to order a mass evacuation, warning residents that the situation is extremely dangerous and urging them to leave their homes as soon as possible. According to Orenburg Mayor Sergei Salmin, the water level in the river has risen by 40cm over the past 10 hours and now stands at 11.43 meters, a level that is considered hazardous. The flooding has been caused by a dam burst on the Ural River in the city of Orsk last week, which has led authorities to declare the situation an emergency of federal importance.
The region has seen significant flooding, with over 11,700 houses remaining underwater on Friday, although this is a slight decrease from the 12,000 reported the day before. Despite this decrease, over 10,700 people have been evacuated from flooded areas, and the situation remains precarious. The Ural River is approximately 1,509 miles long and runs from the southern section of the Ural Mountains, through Russia and Kazakhstan, before emptying into the Caspian Sea. Its flow has left a trail of destruction, with entire districts of Orenburg submerged underwater.
Residents are struggling to navigate the streets on foot or by boat, with the city’s main streets now eerily quiet and only the occasional sound of sirens breaking the silence. The once-thriving city is now a waterlogged nightmare, with residents forced to adapt to their new surroundings. The situation is dire, and time is of the essence for authorities to respond effectively and prevent further damage.
As authorities work to respond to the emergency, residents are being urged to evacuate the area as soon as possible. “The situation is very dangerous,” said Salmin. “I urge everyone to leave their homes and seek higher ground immediately.” The authorities are working to provide shelter and aid to those affected by the disaster, but it is clear that the city will take a long time to recover from the devastating effects of the flood. One woman’s poignant image as she carries her cat out of a flooded part of Orenburg, her belongings floating off in the water, serves as a powerful reminder of the difficult circumstances faced by those affected by the disaster.