An emergency situation has been declared in Russia's Far East Magadan region amid severe flooding after three times the monthly norm of rain fell within 36 hours.
Russia's Far East and China were devastated by flooding last year that caused billions of dollars in damage and about 100 confirmed deaths.
Torrential downpours have drenched Magadan in 174 millimeters of water, the highest volume of rainfall in July since 1936, said chief regional meteorologist Vera Zavadko on Wednesday, Interfax reported.
The far eastern metropolis of Vladivostok and its surrounding region were also hit by flash floods in recent days.
Emergency situations were declared Wednesday in districts around Magadan, including the region's eponymous administrative center, its governor was quoted by Interfax as saying.
Rains have flooded first floors of a maternity hospital, drug rehab clinic, tuberculosis center and an infectious diseases hospital, Interfax reported.
In the city of Magadan, torrents washed away asphalt from stretches of roads, a local police spokesperson told Interfax. Other roads have turned into streams, and police were putting up signs warning drivers to stay away.
Officials were also preparing emergency shelters for a possible evacuation of the village of Klepka, where rapidly advancing waters have also washed away a road and were threatening to engulf homes, the regional governor was quoted as saying.
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