Putin orders prior preparation for restoring flood-affected houses, infrastructure

MOSCOW. April 11 (Interfax) - The Russian government and regions should prepare in advance for the restoration of houses and infrastructure damaged by the seasonal floods, regardless of whether the water has receded or risen yet, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"In some places the water may not have come in yet, but it's necessary already to think about restoring houses, above all, and of course infrastructure. So, do not drag this out, please; start preparing now," Putin said at a meeting on response efforts on Thursday.

The president separately instructed Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov to provide daily updates on the situation in the affected regions. "The health ministry is working; local medics, colleagues in the regions also are working, everything is going well overall. I hope that such concerted work will continue, and we will minimize all risks and effects. Keep me updated regularly," Putin said.

"Alexander Vyacheslavovich [Kurenkov], report back tomorrow. I won't bother all the regional heads, governors; everyone is doing their job, and you update [me] daily," he said.