Aftermath of Heavy Rains in Verkhny Ufaley Addressed

Deputy Minister of Public Safety Valery Ustinov and First Deputy Minister of Ecology Sergey Lavrov reported on measures to eliminate the consequences of flooding in Verkhny Ufaley. On July 15, due to heavy rainfall, water levels rose in the Ufaleyka, Generalka, and Bolshoy Sukhovyaz rivers. The flood zone included 69 residential buildings and 133 household plots. Governor of Chelyabinsk Oblast Alexei Teksler took personal round-the-clock control of the situation.

Valery Ustinov spoke about the actions taken: «All response actions were carried out in the shortest possible time. At night, the population was immediately notified, an operational headquarters was created, and a heightened state of readiness was introduced. On the Governor«s orders, Minister of Public Safety Alexander Grib and Minister of Ecology Igor Gilyov arrived on site to coordinate the efforts of forces and resources.»

A group of 82 personnel, 25 pieces of equipment, three drones, and eight watercraft was deployed on site. It included a specialized fire and rescue unit of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations for Chelyabinsk Oblast, the Kyshtym search and rescue squad, and the local fire and rescue garrison. Using boats, 69 people were evacuated, including 31 children. Most went to relatives, three were placed in a temporary accommodation center. Humanitarian aid—food and bottled water—was promptly delivered to the district.

«All houses are now free of water, but 119 household plots remain flooded. On the Governor«s orders, 40 heat guns and 20 motor pumps were delivered from the regional reserve for rapid water pumping and drying of premises. All victims will receive assistance. The district administration is now quickly drawing up damage reports and issuing certificates for insurance companies,» added Valery Ustinov.

Territory disinfection and drinking water source sanitation are being actively carried out. For hepatitis A prevention, 200 doses of vaccine were brought to the district, and the population will be vaccinated. First Deputy Minister of Ecology Sergey Lavrov noted that due to the prolonged cyclone and heavy local rainfall, special attention is being paid to the readiness of reservoirs. To accommodate incoming water, excess is being discharged in a controlled manner from the cascade of reservoirs.

According to weather forecasters, hot weather will set in the region in a few days, which will allow for a quick completion of the cleanup of the emergency situation in Verkhny Ufaley.