Authorities estimate the damage in the Orenburg region alone at more than 40 billion rubles (400 million euros) 193 towns in 33 regions of Russia are affected, including the Samara and Omsk regions. Since the disaster began at the beginning of April, more than 18,000 homes and around 37,000 inhabited properties have been affected by the flood.
The unusually strong spring floods have already destroyed much infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Many Russians complain that the authorities warned about the danger too late and that help was inadequate and slow. In Kurgan Region, Governor Vadim Shumkov once again urged people to pack up their documents, valuables and clothing and seek safety. Police officers would organize patrols together with sports fans from clubs to prevent looting. The neighboring Republic of Kazakhstan in Central Asia is also affected. The situation is considered particularly dangerous for people in the Kurgan region, where the flood waters of the Tobol River in southwest Siberia rose by one and a half meters to around 6.50 meters within 24 hours.