KRASNOYARSK, April 18 (RIA Novosti) - The Abakan, a mighty Siberian river, has flooded. The inundation struck the riverside town Abaza in Khakassia, autonomy in the Krasnoyarsk Territory's south. The calamity started Friday, April 16, to kill nine, aged 26 to 82. They failed to leave home in time as the flood was exceptionally rapid, reports Mayor Petr Gavrilov.
The victims were buried today. The town is in mourning this day and tomorrow.
The inundation killed a tremendous amount of livestock and pets. A great many houses are badly damaged. More than 30,000 townspeople are putting up with neighbours or relations.
A Khakass republican ad hoc commission is starting work in Abaza tomorrow to evaluate damages and see just how the ice-blocked river could inundate so quickly.
Not a single instance of pillaging was reported in the town throughout the calamity, pointed out the mayor.
