Dam collapse in Russia sparks emergency response in Kiolim
Water has returned to the riverbed in the village of Kiolim in the Chelyabinsk region. The Ministry of Emergency Situations reports that homes are being searched. On Friday, a 100-metre section of the Kialimskoje dam collapsed, and nearly 170 people were evacuated.
The village of Kiolim in the Karabash urban district (Chelyabinsk region) is entirely without water and electricity, according to a correspondent from the Access news agency.
Dam breach in Russia
"Water has returned to the riverbed," reports the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM). Rescuers are using drones to inspect the area. Heavy equipment and about 50 rescuers are on-site, combing through the ruined homes.
200 people in the danger zone
As we reported on Friday, the dam at Kialimskoje Reservoir broke. A 100-metre section of the dam collapsed, creating a massive flood wave. People fled to the roofs of their buildings in panic. In the village of Kiolim alone, the water reached a height of 1 metre.
About 200 people were in the flood zone. EMERCOM reported that 163 people, including 21 children, were evacuated from the threatened areas. No one died.
In total, 170 rescuers and 60 pieces of equipment are working at the disaster site.
Governor of the Chelyabinsk region Alexei Teksler also arrived on-site, his press service announced. He is to organize help for the flood victims.
The Kialimskoje Reservoir was created in 1979. It is a natural monument of "regional significance." It is located 8 kilometres southwest of Karabash, where it serves as a source of drinking water. Its volume is 6 billion litres, and the dam is 545 metres long.
