Russian Floods Force 6,000 To Flee

(RFE/RL) May 2, 2006 -- Serious flooding has affected parts of Russia, particularly Siberia, forcing 6,000 people to leave their homes.

The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said today that the worst flooding hit Byisk in Altay region of eastern Siberia where 1,350 houses were flooded.

The ministry said authorities were building a tent city to give emergency shelter to 2,800 people.

Flooding because of melting snow is a regular springtime occurrence in Russia. In May 2005, more than 4,000 people living in the Russian North Caucasus -- Chechnya and Dagestan -- had to be evacuated following major flooding.

(AFP)