Flood situation worsens again in Russia's Tyumen region - governor

TYUMEN. May 15 (Interfax) - The flood situation has worsened again in Russia's Tyumen region, as the water level has risen in the Irtysh river, the region's governor Alexander Moor said on Wednesday.

"The situation has worsened again. High water from the Ishim river flows into the Irtysh, and its level is rapidly rising in the Vagai district," Moor said on Telegram.

The Irtysh's water level has exceeded the highest measurements of 2016 and 2017 in the village of Bolshoi Karagai in the Vagai district, he said.

"The 2017 level has been exceeded by 80 centimeters at a water monitoring post in the village of Ust-Ishim in the Omsk region. We are expecting this water to reach the Vagai district, as well," Moor said.

"The main task for now is to evacuate people and to save their property, cattle and pets," he said.

"We continue to reinforce dams and fill bags with soil. We are increasing the group of forces and hardware in the Vagai district. Fifty-two employees of the Emergency Situations Ministry were sent there this morning," Moor said.

As reported, the water level in the Irtysh river rose by 15 centimeters to 1,235 centimeters in Bolshoi Karagai in the Vagai district, and almost 70 homes are facing the risk of flooding. In total, 15 communities may be flooded in the Vagai district.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Ishim river has started to decrease in the town of Ishim and the Abatskoye, Kazanskoye and Vikulovo districts, and the flood situation is stabilizing.