Deadly flooding displaces more than 1 300 people in Crimea

At least one person died and more than 1 300 were evacuated after severe flooding from heavy rains affected the Crimean Peninsula and parts of Ukraine on June 17, 2021. According to authorities, floodwaters reached up to 5.2 feet (1.6 m) in parts of Kerch City as rivers burst their banks.

About 1 700 people have been affected by flooding in Crimea, mostly in Kerch and the surrounding areas of Lenins'kyi, the Crimea Directorate of Russian Emergencies Ministry (EMERCOM) reported. Minor flooding also occurred in Kirovske and Sovietskyi districts.

In Kerch and Lenins'kyi, the severe weather disrupted the power and water supply for thousands of residents. Heavy rainfall triggered the overflow of the Melek-Chesme River, resulting in widespread flooding in Kerch.

More than 80 mm (3 inches) of rain fell in Kerch in a 24-hour period to June 17. As much as 191 mm (7.5 inches) of rain fell in the Ai-Petri, a peak in the Crimean Mountains, to June 18. 

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) reported 26 flooded homes in the Kupyansk District and 11 roads in the city of Alexandria in the Kirovohrad region.

Emergency teams have rescued 1 387 people from flooded homes. 155 people were staying in four temporary shelters, most of them in Kerch, as of June 18.

In Yalta, a 26-year-old man died after being swept away by floodwaters. Eight other residents were injured.

"Rivers overflowed their banks. The city's central part is being flooded. Residents are being evacuated. Most importantly, the city's central area is fully closed now," said Yalta Mayor Yanina Pavlenko.

"There are mudslides in different parts near the city. Work to clean up the roads is underway."

"We are facing the task of eliminating the consequences of flooding in Kerch as quickly as possible," said Sergey Aksyonov, Head of the Republic of Crimea

Featured image credit: Sergey Aksenov