Floods in southern Russia claim 53

The death toll from flooding in southern Russia climbed today as rescue workers continued evacuating residents from some of the worst-hit areas.

At least 53 people are confirmed dead from the floodwaters, which have washed away homes, roads and bridges.

The waters are receding in some areas, but the situation remains serious, said Viktor Beltsov of Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry.

The rains began last Tuesday and have inundated several southern regions, forcing an estimated 55,000 people from their homes.

One of the worst-hit regions is Dagestan, on the border with Chechnya.

One-third of the region’s territory is flooded, and 400 homes are damaged or destroyed, said a spokesman for Dagestan’s emergency ministry.

Power and telephone lines have been knocked out, and 617 acres of farmland have been destroyed, he said.

Moscow has sent planeloads of aid to the south and ordered military units throughout the region to help.

President Vladimir Putin also ordered a commission to help the region recover from an estimated €108m worth of damage.