Rescuers have discovered thirty-three bodies in southern Kazakhstan, where heavy rains swept away two dams last week, causing massive flooding, the local emergencies ministry said on Sunday.
Unusually heavy precipitation and melting snows have caused a dam to give way in the village of Zhylbulak, with a population of 820 people. The vast majority of the residents were evacuated. Another dam break has occurred in the village of Kyzyl-Agash.
"On Saturday, bodies of 33 people, including 10 men, 16 women and seven children, were discovered," the ministry said in a statement.
The statement said 44 people, including 16 children, were admitted to hospital following the flood.
Earlier, local emergency officials put the death toll at 28.
The emergencies ministry has set up a field hospital and a temporary tent camp for at least a thousand evacuees near Kyzyl-Agash.
A road connecting the capital, Astana, with the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk was closed after flood waters made it impassable.
Kazakhstan's transport ministry traffic has also reported closures and delays on other roads in connection with the floods.
ASTANA, March 14 (RIA Novosti)
