Published: 10:24PM Tuesday February 26, 2008
Source: Reuters
More than 12,000 people have fled their homes in Kazakhstan
after rain-swollen rivers swept away houses and bridges, the
emergencies ministry said.
Spring flooding is a recurring problem across Central Asia but a
sudden rise in temperatures on February 20 following weeks of
severe cold has exacerbated the problem this year.
One person was killed in the floods and 12,700 others had to be
evacuated from Kazakhstan's most populous region bordering
Uzbekistan, the ministry said.
Melt water destroyed roads and schools and killed hundreds of
cattle as rivers burst their banks.
The emergencies ministry said its rescue teams, equipped with boats
and diving gear, were working to contain floods and assess the
situation.
People were being evacuated to safe areas but it was unclear when
they would be able to return home.
A total of 2,000 houses have been destroyed.
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