Khabarovsk braces for massive flood

Russian Minister of Emergency Situations Vladimir Puchkov gave orders to deploy temporary camps for residents of Khabarovsk, where floods are expected to peak on August 16-17. “We need to deploy temporary camps, provide all required infrastructure, including medical, informational and psychological support,” he said during a meeting of the Governmental Committee for Prevention and Elimination of Emergency Situations in Khabarovsk on Thursday. The minister noted that Khabarovsk region is already partially flooded. “I ask emergency teams to insepct each house located in areas which either can be or already are flooded,” the minister said, addressing regional authorities. According to the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring of Russia weather forecasts, water level of the flood coming from the middle reaches of Amur River in Khabarovsk region on August 16-17 may reach 570-600 centimetres, which is much higher than the critical level. Extremely high water levels can result in flooding of residential lowlands, roads, communication lines and other facilities of Khabarovsk and Nanai districts. Previously The Ministry for Emergy Situations reported  that water levels in the vicinity of Khabarovsk will rise before the end of August; water levels are expected to return to normal only in early September.