Heavy rain floods multiple Russian regions: Moscow, Krasnodar and Chelyabinsk suffer flooding

Last weekend, heavy rain struck multiple Russian regions simultaneously. Moscow received nearly half a month's worth of rainfall in a short period, streets in Krasnodar have been impassable since June 12th, and in Chelyabinsk drivers lost their vehicle licence plates in water flows. A storm in Novgorod Oblast left 2,600 residents without power on June 13th.

Heavy rain caused extensive flooding across multiple regions of Russia over the past weekend, disrupting traffic, damaging buildings and leaving thousands without electricity.

Moscow receives a month's rain in one day

Moscow saw nearly half a month's worth of rainfall fall in a short period in some districts. The storm brought down trees, flooding Novy Arbat, Kutuzovsky Prospekt and numerous other streets, as well as underground car parks and the Leningrad Station building. In the Zuzino district, one resident used a paddle board to help motorists cross through water that reached the middle of car doors. In Mytishchi, near Moscow, floodwater partially inundated the Olympiyski Prospekt viaduct.

Krasnodar submerged since June 12th

Krasnodar experienced torrential rain for two consecutive days from June 12th, resulting in the closure of several streets. Local media outlets have published videos showing residents paddling through streets on paddle boards and children playing in large puddles. Basements are flooded. Krasnodar Krai authorities reported that in Krasnodar, Labinsk and Kalinin district, municipal services are pumping water from flooded areas. In total, 108 territories adjacent to households and 84 residential building basements are affected in this region.

On the morning of June 14th, a state of emergency was declared in several villages in Krymsk district of Krasnodar Krai due to a dam breach, though the dam actually burst on June 3rd.

Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk Oblast

Chelyabinsk city authorities acknowledged that "no existing stormwater drainage system can cope with such torrential rain." Streets were flooded, bus floors were submerged in water, and traffic was severely disrupted. Residents told journalists that cars are "sinking heavily" and drivers are losing their licence plates in water flows.

In Sverdlovsk Oblast, the Shaitanka River overflowed its banks at Shilovka village, flooding 30 household territories. At Nikolo-Pavlovskoye village, four residential buildings were damaged. Sverdlovsk Oblast emergency services advised residents to find shelter, close doors and windows tightly, and not leave their homes, as a storm was moving towards the city.

Thousands without power in Novgorod Oblast

On June 13th, 2,600 residents in Novgorod Oblast were left without electricity due to severe thunderstorms.