Minister of Emergency Situations and Disaster Relief Vladimir Puchkov chaired a meeting of the Government Commission on Prevention and Response to Emergencies in the city of Blagoveshchensk to discuss the flood caused by heavy rain in the Amur Region.
It was reported at the meeting that at least 139 residential buildings with 239 people (including 49 children), 223 private plots of land, 21 sections of local roads and three bridges remain affected by the flood in 11 populated areas in Zeisky, Mazanovsky, Seryshevsky, Blagoveshchensky and Shimanovsky districts. As many as 1,727 people have been evacuated from towns and villages, children’s camps and prisons in sufficient time. Some 777 people, including 253 children, were relocated from flooded homes. Residents receive the necessary support. Further preventive measures are being taken.
There are 64 temporary shelters for over 250,000 people evacuated from the flooded area. Some 242 ground vehicles and 147 vessels are in permanent readiness to deliver residents to these shelters. Seventy-two rescue teams are working in the areas prone to floods, forces and resources are being reinforced.
Vladimir Puchkov said that following the evaluation, the decision was made to introduce a federal-level state of emergency in the region. The entire emergency prevention system will be involved to prevent further consequences, with the National Crisis Management Centre of the Emergency Situations Ministry taking the lead.
The vital service systems in the flood areas are constantly being monitored in order to ensure that there is no disruption in the operation of post offices, medical centres and other essential offices. Senior citizens and families with many children are receiving special assistance.
The Emergencies Minister assured that the flood is under control and all the services are operating around-the-clock. Local residents have no reason to be worried.
Also, Vladimir Puchkov set a goal for local government and regional officials to make sure that the local residents are regularly updated on the situation and the relief measures.
Source: Ministry of Emergency Situations and Disaster Relief
