Five killed in Siberia floods

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Siberia where around 50 villages are flooded following days of heavy rainfall.

Widespread flooding in Siberia has killed five people, including a child, Russia's emergencies minister says.

More than 350 others have been injured in the floods, around 100 of whom are receiving treatment in hospital, minister Yevgeny Zinichev was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

A death toll of three had been reported earlier on Saturday. The fate of two people, including a child, remains unknown.

Russian President Vladimir Putin paid an impromptu visit to Bratsk, a city on the swollen Angara River.

Around 50 villages are flooded following days of heavy rainfall in the Irkutsk oblast, which borders the western shores of the massive Lake Baikal. More than 4,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, as were numerous bridges and roads.

Officials say 10,000 people are impacted by the floods. Many had to flee to safety on boats and helicopters.

The ministry has warned that the worst might be still to come as more rain is forecast. A state of emergency has been declared in the affected areas and the river has already burst its banks in certain places.

Putin travelled to the stricken region on his way home from the G20 summit in Japan.


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Source: AAP


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