MOSCOW, March 28 (Reuters) - Authorities in the capital of the southern Russian region of Dagestan declared a state of emergency on Saturday after heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding and power
Power Outages in Dagestan as Severe Flooding Triggers State of Emergency
Widespread Impact of Flooding and Power Cuts in Dagestan
Declaration of State of Emergency
MOSCOW, March 28 (Reuters) - Authorities in the capital of the southern Russian region of Dagestan declared a state of emergency on Saturday after heavy rainfall led to widespread flooding and power cuts in the region.
Emergency Response and Assistance Efforts
"Emergency services have been placed on high alert, efforts are under way to deal with the aftermath, and assistance will be provided to affected residents," the Makhachkala city administration said on Telegram.
Extent of Power Outages
More than 327,000 people remain without power in Dagestan due to bad weather, the regional ministry of emergency situations said.
Details from the Ministry of Emergency Situations
"As of 12:00 (Moscow time, 0900 GMT), 283 settlements with a population of 327,183 people, including 89,705 children, remain without electricity," the ministry said on its website.
Preparedness and Unexpected Severity
The region's head Sergei Melikov said that the emergency services and officials had been preparing for worsening weather conditions, but the actual situation "exceeded even the most pessimistic forecasts".
Infrastructure Damage
Railway Bridge Collapse in Khasavyurt
Officials in Dagestan's second-largest city of Khasavyurt said a railway bridge had been damaged due to heavy rainfall.
Details of the Bridge Collapse
"Two spans of the bridge collapsed on the Khasavyurt–Kadiyurt section of the North Caucasus Railway," Dagestan's government press service said.
Weather Forecast
The heavy rain in the region is set to continue until Sunday, according to forecasts.
(Reporting by Reuters, writing by Ksenia OrlovaEditing by Keith Weir)
