Flash floods kill 46 in southern Russia

Two days of flash floods and heavy rains have killed at least 46 people in Russia’s southern Krasnodarsky Krai region, Russian officials say.

The administration of the Krasnodarsky Krai said on Saturday that nearly 13,000 people have been affected by the flooding.

Igor Zhelyabin, a regional police spokesman, said that some 35 bodies were discovered in the Krymsk district, while nine people died in the Gelendzhik. The other two were reportedly killed in Novorossiisk, Russia’s largest Black Sea port, he added.

“The floods were very strong. Even traffic lights were ripped out,” he said, adding that “evacuations are under way.”

The floods reportedly happened at night, catching local people by surprise.

The official said emergency rescue teams have been deployed from the capital Moscow by plane and helicopters to the affected areas.

Igor Dyomin, a spokesman for the Novorossiisk port said that the port has stopped shipments as the flood and storm have affected the region.

“We limited shipments, the port is located in the lower part of town, the whole landslide has moved towards it. As we speak, the rain has started again,” Dyomin also said.