Massive flooding hits Russia’s Tyumen region

A massive flooding is affecting Russia's Tyumen region in Siberia since May 11, 2017, after a large discharge of water from the reservoir in Kazakhstan. Tyumen governor said the actual release was much higher than Kazakstan officials claim. A state of emergency is in place in the city of Ishim and three municipalities of the Tyumen region.

The governor said preparations in Tyumen began in March due to expected snowmelt, but the floods that hit the region this year have a different source. "It is the water that came from the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where there was a release or a large volume of water from Sergeevskoye reservoir," he said. He noted that they were informed about the planned release, but the information proved to be unreliable.

River Ishim, which runs through the city of Ishim, received a huge volume of water within three days and city's levees broke.

Tyumen GU Ministry of Emergency Situations said that more than 4 000 houses were flooded in Ishim and Ishimsky district. The government opened 13 evacuation centers for about 2 000 people.

Featured image: Flooded airfield near Ishim, Russia – May 2017. Credit: RT