Floods in Khabarovsk area may peak September 2-3

Floods in Russia’s far eastern city of Khabarovsk, on the Amur River, will peak later than it was been originally expected. Earlier forecasts said record-high levels would be registered on August 25-28. According to the latest forecast, though, the worst situation is due on September 2-3, as heavy showers continue in the basin of the Sungari (Shonghua) River, and more intensive rains may follow along the Ussuri River on August 26-27, the regional office of the Emergency Situations Ministry has told ITAR-TASS. According to the latest forecasts the level of the Amur near Khabarovsk by September 2-3 may reach the 7.8-8.3-meter marks. Today’s level is 7.2 meters. Higher water levels are expected in other cities and communities, too. In the wake of the latest unfavourable forecasts urgent operations have begun in Khabarovsk to build up the existing ten kilometres of seven-meter-tall protective dams to 8.2-8.5 meters. Three municipal districts in the Khabarovsk Territory and the city of Khabarovsk itself have been affected by the overflowing Amur. About twelve hundred people, including 229 children, have been evacuated from the flood-stricken areas. As a rule, the evacuees prefer to go to relatives or friends in safe areas.