Flooding forces emergency evacuation of villages in Russia’s Yakutia region

Authorities in Russia’s Sakha Republic (Yakutia) have ordered the immediate evacuation of two villages as rising water levels triggered severe flooding in the region, local officials said.

The administration of the Lensky district announced via Telegram that residents of the villages of Vitim and Peleduy were being evacuated due to flooding caused by rising levels of the Lena River.

“Due to rising water levels in the Lena River, an immediate evacuation of residents from the flooded area has been ordered,” the district administration said, urging residents not to delay leaving their homes.

Officials advised evacuees to switch off gas and electricity supplies before departing and to take essential belongings, including identification documents, money, warm clothing, medicines, phone chargers, and basic food and water supplies.

According to local authorities, several districts — including Nyurbinsky, Vilyuysky, Lensky, and Olekminsky — are considered at high risk of flooding.

Water levels in the Vitima and Peleduya rivers reportedly exceeded critical thresholds. In Peleduy, authorities said 20 homes had been flooded and 37 residents evacuated, including 14 children.

Later, district officials reported that an ice jam on the Lena River near Peleduy had broken, causing water levels to begin falling. However, authorities warned that the flood threat remains in the affected areas.

By Sabina Mammadli