Kurgan’s regional governor, Vadim Shumkov, has taken to the social media to implore residents in flood-prone areas to evacuate immediately due to rising water levels.
According to Shumkov, the “colossal” volume of water is moving towards the Russian city of Kurgan. The Tobol river and its tributaries have swelled, with water levels reaching twice those of the last major flood in 1994.
Over the past two weeks, floods have necessitated the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from northern Kazakhstan and adjacent regions of Russia. These floods result from the rapid melting of snow and ice, compounded by heavy rainfall.
Taking to his Telegram channel, Mr. Shumkov urged residents in flood-threatened areas to evacuate immediately, as water levels are expected to surge as high as 11 meters (36 feet) above normal.
He said:
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“This isn’t just a flood, it’s a genuine threat! Therefore, take children, elderly people, relatives with limited mobility and neighbors to a temporary shelter or to friends and acquaintances. Collect documents and valuables.”
Further east, residents of the town of Ishim have also been urged to evacuate due to elevated water levels of the river bearing the same name.
The city of Petropavl in northern Kazakhstan has been significantly impacted by the flooding of the Ishim River. Several rivers flow interchangeably between Kazakhstan and Russia, exacerbating the situation.
Kurgan, a city with over 300,000 residents, is home to the military factory Kurganmashzavod, renowned for its production of infantry fighting vehicles and light tanks. There has been speculation from foreign defense media that the factory may potentially fall within the flood zone.