Over 4,300 communities at risk from spring flooding - Russian Emergency Situations Ministry

MOSCOW. March 22 (Interfax) - The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry is forecasting spring floods on the territory of more than 4,300 communities.

"A lot of snow accumulated in some regions of our country. That may considerably complicate the spring high water season," Russian Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov was quoted by the ministry's press service as saying at a Friday meeting of the government commission on preventing and mitigating emergency situations and ensuring fire safety.

Thus, over 4,300 communities may be at risk from spring flooding, the press service said.

Speaking about the situation regarding fires in the country, Kurenkov said fires have been recorded in specially protected natural areas.

"The fire season has begun in 16 regions. In particular, large wild fires have been registered in specially protected natural areas. A special fire safety regime is now in place in five regions," Kurenkov said.

According to the Emergency Situations Ministry's information, a total of 33 wildfires have been recorded on a total area of 2,000 hectares since the beginning of the year.