Emergency floods hit Southern Russia

Vladimir Putin has instructed Sergei Shoigu, Russian Minister for Emergency Situations, to urgently fly to the south of Russia hit by the elements.

Presidential press secretary Alexei Gromov said that Shoigu is instructed personally to head rehabilitation and repair work in the Stavropol region, Karachai-Circassia, Northern Ossetia, Ingushetia and other affected regions.

Drawn-out torrential rains have made many rivers swell and overflow their banks.

The Emergency Situations Ministry reported on Friday that five persons have died as a result of floods in Southern Russia.

In the Stavropol region, 20,000 houses, engineering structures, power transmission lines, dams have been partially submerged or destroyed. In certain cities water supply has stopped. The floods have done a 1.5 billion-rouble (one dollar equals over 30 roubles) damage.

The Emergency Situations Ministry predicts that in the next 24 hours water may further rise in the region. Torrential rains with thunderstorms and hail will happen in Daghestan, Chechnya and Ingushetia. The danger of landslides will increase.