Mayor orders 'mass evacuations' in Russia flood city

Moscow (AFP) April 12, 2024

Flooding in the Russian city of Orenburg became "critical" Friday forcing "mass evacuations" as the Ural river level rises, the mayor said. Fast-rising temperatures have melted snow and ice, and along with heavy rains have caused a number of major rivers that cross Russia and Kazakhstan to overflow. "Sirens are sounding in the city. This is not an exercise," Orenburg Mayor Sergei Salmin