Historic Flooding in Russia and Kazakhstan: Orenburg Evacuation Underway as Ural River Bursts Its Banks Due to Snow Melt

Orenburg, Kurgan region, Russia Russian Federation
Historic flooding in Russia and Kazakhstan
Mass evacuation called for residents of several areas in Orenburg, Russia
Over 10,000 people already relocated from their homes
Peak flooding expected on Friday
Ural River bursting its banks due to snow melt
Historic Flooding in Russia and Kazakhstan: Orenburg Evacuation Underway as Ural River Bursts Its Banks Due to Snow Melt

Russia and Kazakhstan are currently facing historic flooding, with the Ural River bursting its banks due to snow melt. The situation is particularly dire in Orenburg, Russia where a mass evacuation has been called for residents of several areas due to rising flood waters. According to sources, over 10,000 people have already been relocated from their homes and the peak flooding is expected on Friday. In addition to Orensburg, other regions in Russia such as Kurgan and Tyumen are also affected by the flooding.



Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It's not clear if there are any casualties or injuries as a result of the flooding
  • The extent of the damage caused by the flood is unknown at this time

Sources

63%

  • Unique Points
    • Authorities in the Russian city of Orenburg called on residents to evacuate immediately due to rapidly rising flood waters after major rivers burst their banks due to a deluge of melting snow.
    • The Ural river had reached 11 meters and 43 centimeters or just over 37 feet, up from 10.87 meters reported a day earlier, and that the situation was now perilous.
    • Over 360 houses and nearly 1,000 plots of land had been flooded overnight.
  • Accuracy
    • The water was also rising sharply in another Russian region – Kurgan – and in neighboring Kazakhstan
    • Residents have repeatedly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin for assistance. Video posts on social media showed hundreds of protesters gathering outside city hall, chanting 'Shame! Shame!' and 'Putin, help!'
    • Flooding forecasts pinpoint Kurganmashzavod to be within the 11-12 meter mark, but precise predictions about flood levels in Kurgan are withheld by Russian authorities.
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that authorities in Orenburg called for a mass evacuation due to rising flood waters. However, there is no evidence of this statement being true as it was not mentioned anywhere else and the source used only quotes from Reuters which does not mention anything about an official call for evacuation.
    • The article states that water was also rising sharply in another Russian region Kurgan and in neighboring Kazakhstan. However, there is no evidence of this statement being true as it was not mentioned anywhere else and the source used only quotes from Reuters which does not mention anything about an official call for evacuation.
    • The author claims that authorities in Orenburg called for a mass evacuation due to rising flood waters. However, there is no evidence of this statement being true as it was not mentioned anywhere else and the source used only quotes from Reuters which does not mention anything about an official call for evacuation.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the mayor of Orenburg says that the flood situation in his city is extremely dangerous and calls on residents to evacuate immediately. This statement assumes that because he has a position of power, it must be true without providing any evidence or reasoning behind it. Additionally, there are several instances where inflammatory rhetoric is used such as when Sergei Salmin says 'This is not a drill' and Alexei Kudinov calls the deluge expected to reach its peak on Friday and start subsiding in two days time an emergency situation. These statements create fear and urgency without providing any context or evidence for their claims.
    • The flood situation in Orenburg is extremely dangerous.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    The article reports on a mass evacuation in the Russian city of Orenburg due to rising flood waters. The author Sergei Salmin is quoted extensively throughout the article and has personal ties with Alexei Kudinov who was involved in organizing the evacuation efforts.
    • According to Sergei Salmin of Channel One, more than 100 people were killed by floodwaters that swept through Russia’s Kurgan region. He is quoted extensively throughout the article and has personal ties with Alexei Kudinov who was involved in organizing the evacuation efforts.
      • Sergei Salmin, a correspondent for Russia’s state-owned Channel One television network, reported on the flooding from Orenburg. He is quoted extensively throughout the article and has personal ties with Alexei Kudinov who was involved in organizing the evacuation efforts.
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      69%

      • Unique Points
        • Russia and Kazakhstan face historic flooding
        • A mass evacuation is underway in the Russian city of Orenburg as severe flooding tears through parts of Russia and northern Kazakhstan
        • Residents have repeatedly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin for assistance. Video posts on social media showed hundreds of protesters gathering outside city hall, chanting 'Shame! Shame!' and 'Putin, help!'
        • Yulia Navalnaya also criticized the Kremlin.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (50%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that a mass evacuation is underway in Orenburg when it's not entirely clear how many people have been asked to leave their homes. Secondly, the author quotes residents calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin for assistance without providing any context or information about what they are asking for. Thirdly, the article uses sensationalist language such as
        • The river flows from Russia's Ural Mountains through Kazakhstan to the Caspian Sea,
      • Fallacies (70%)
        The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it quotes the mayor of Orenburg stating that the flooding situation is extremely dangerous and urging locals not to waste time. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the floods as historic and a disaster in both Russia and Kazakhstan.
        • The mayor of Orenburg, Sergei Salmin, stated that the flooding situation is extremely dangerous.
      • Bias (85%)
        The article contains a statement from the mayor of Orenburg that residents should leave their homes immediately and take basic necessities with them. This is an example of monetary bias as it implies that only those who can afford to have basic necessities will be able to evacuate safely.
        • > Residents in at least eight areas or streets in the region have been asked to evacuate, according to an announcement from the Orenburg government. The mayor described the flooding situation as
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        90%

        • Unique Points
          • Russian plant producing BMP-3 and BMD-4 IFVs faces risk of submersion due to prolonged flooding in the border regions of Russia and Kazakhstan.
          • Kurganmashzavod is recognized for producing BMP series infantry combat vehicles and BMD series airborne assault vehicles as well as the 2S25 Sprut-SDa self-propelled tank destroyer.
          • The factory also specializes in producing a diverse range of unique gear, including tracked vehicles designed for snowy and swampy terrains, plus a suite of civil engineering machinery.
        • Accuracy
          • The factory employs thousands of individuals, including skilled laborers, technicians, engineers, administrative professionals who are integral to its operation's continual success.
          • Kurganmashzavod was originally established in 1950 as a repair station for returning front-line tanks and now holds a prominent role in the production of Russian military machinery.
          • The factory specializes in producing a diverse range of unique gear, including tracked vehicles designed for snowy and swampy terrains, plus a suite of civil engineering machinery.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (70%)
          The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the Kurganmashzavod factory is a key producer of military machinery and has been recognized for its production of infantry combat vehicles such as BMP series. However, this statement does not provide any evidence or data to support it.
          • The maps issued by the local administration delineate areas at risk, brightly marked in yellow and red,
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication