The situation remains tense in the Russian Orenburg region due to the flooding of the Ural River. In the city of Orsk in the southern Ural Mountains, about a hundred people demonstrated today against the local authorities, who hold them responsible for the floods. Some reports speak of hundreds of demonstrators.

Due to heavy rainfall, the water in the Ur and Ural rivers is very high. A dam wall collapsed on Friday under water pressure, submerging parts of the city of Orsk, which has a population of 230,000 and is located 1,800 kilometers southeast of Moscow. Today, cracks also appeared in another dam.

In Orsk, the old city and some suburbs were flooded. About 10,000 homes were flooded. Floods also threaten the regional capital, Orenburg, where half a million people live.

Residents of Orsk had to leave their homes and go to emergency shelters:

Today, demonstrators in Orsk chanted “Shame, shame” and “Putin, help us.” They accuse the authorities of building a poorly constructed dam at a very high cost. The Russian Public Prosecution opened a criminal investigation on charges of negligence and ignoring safety rules during the construction of the dam.

A meeting was held with the angry citizens with the governor who promised to accommodate them in hotels and spas for the time being. He also promised them financial support.

Governor Balcer has said it’s easy to blame others. He described citizens who help in the water fight instead of complaining as “true patriots.” The authorities also warned against banning gatherings “that are not coordinated with the government.”

The mayor of Orenburg called on people along the river to leave as soon as possible.

Floods are also threatening elsewhere in Russia. A significant rise in water levels has been reported in the Volga, Ob, Tobol and other rivers.