By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: At least 78 people have died after heavy downpour triggered massive floods in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, the emergencies ministry said Saturday.
In the worst-hit Gelendzhik city, five people suffered an electric shock and died after a transformer collapsed.
Two bodies were found in the debris of a home destroyed by flood waters. Three bodies were found in villages near Gelendzhik.
Torrential rains began Friday. In all, 320 homes and about 1,000 families have been affected in the floods.
Krasnodar Governor Aleksandr Tkachyov said there has not been anything like it in the past 70 years.
A total of 17 power stations were temporarily closed in Gelendzhik, leaving about 20,000 people without electricity.
Dozens of passenger trains were diverted as water level remained at half a metre above the tracks.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
pm/vd