Submerged vacation destinations in extensively frequented Russian tourist area due to heavy flooding
In the Krasnodar Krai region of Russia, a state of emergency has been declared due to severe storm-induced flooding, tornadoes, and mudslides that have caused widespread damage. The affected areas include popular tourist towns and coastal villages, such as Goryachy Klyuch, Lermontovo, Tuapse district, and Aghoy.
The heavy rainfall led to rivers overflowing, causing flash floods, landslides, and a tornado near the coast of Sochi and Tuapse. This has severely threatened both tourists and locals, with 40 tourists needing to be evacuated. In the villages of Defanovka, Moldavanskoye, and Novomikhailovsky in the Tuapse district, 34 houses and 45 plots of land belonging to houses were flooded.
Authorities issued a three-day storm warning for the region, anticipating continued heavy precipitation, thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds reaching up to 49 mph (around 80 km/h). Emergency services have been actively involved, with over 150 personnel and dozens of specialized units deployed for rescue and relief operations. Temporary accommodation centers have been established to house displaced residents, including one in Novomikhailovsky village.
One of the most significant infrastructural damages occurred in the village of Lermontovo, where a dilapidated bridge over the Shapsukho River was washed away, isolating around 300 residential buildings and causing disrupted transport routes. Due to a mudslide, there were temporary traffic restrictions, and efforts to clear mudslides and restore traffic on major highways like the Don highway have been underway.
Veniamin Kondratyev, the governor of the Tuapse district, made the declaration of a state of emergency on the platform Telegram. The governor has been actively coordinating the emergency response efforts to manage the crisis and protect residents and tourists.
As the situation remains critical, it is essential that residents and tourists follow the advice of local authorities and stay informed about the ongoing weather conditions and emergency responses.
[1] https://www.rt.com/russia/559631-emergency-declared-flood-krasnodar/ [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57929695 [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-declares-state-emergency-flood-hit-region-black-sea-2021-10-14/ [4] https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/10/14/russian-region-declares-state-of-emergency-as-floodwaters-rise-a79748
- Given the severe weather conditions in the Krasnodar Krai region, including flooding, tornadoes, and mudslides, it is crucial for residents and tourists to closely monitor the environmental-science updates and forecasts provided by local authorities.
- In the aftermath of the storm in the Tuapse district, with numerous houses and plots of land inundated and essential infrastructure damaged, the role of scientists in assessing and mitigating future environmental impacts becomes increasingly significant.
