Meeting on flood relief efforts in Dagestan

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon,

Today, as agreed, we will discuss in detail the issues related to the disaster relief efforts in the Republic of Dagestan. We are talking about the heavy spring flooding and torrential rains that caused widespread flash flooding in the Republic.

I would note that in just one day - March 30 - Dagestan had the equivalent of three months' worth of precipitation. Since meteorological observations began - in 1882 - such figures have never been recorded in the region, never. Due to the abnormal weather, on April 5, an earth dam of the Gedzhukh Reservoir burst in the Derbent District. As a result, residents of several communities were evacuated. Unfortunately, there are casualties, and there are fatalities.

In several municipalities, electric power supply has been disrupted, and road infrastructure, including bridges, has suffered significant damage. Due to the risk of landslides and mudslides, traffic has been halted or is impeded on several road and rail sections.

We must keep this situation under constant review. On April 6, reports on the situation were heard from Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov and from Head of Dagestan Sergei Melikov, and an instruction was issued to promptly provide assistance to the affected people. According to the reports, sufficient forces and resources have been mobilised overall to deal with the aftermath of the flooding - at least, that is what I heard from the report. Emergencies Ministry staff, together with colleagues from other federal agencies and law enforcement bodies, are acting in a coordinated manner. Volunteers are actively assisting them. For this, dear friends, I would like to thank you most particularly.

Today, in addition to the Head of the Republic of Dagestan, and at my request, the heads of the most affected municipalities are taking part in our meeting: specifically, the city of Makhachkala, and the Derbent and Khasavyurt Districts. I would like to hear your views on how the disaster relief effort is proceeding, what further assistance is needed from the Emergencies Ministry and other federal agencies, and which construction, road-building, and other specialised organisations need to be brought in.

Let me stress: federal, regional and local authorities must provide all necessary support to the victims. People need to be helped and supported; they need to be kept constantly informed of the current situation; their complaints and appeals must be taken into account and responded to promptly; and those in need must receive timely medical and legal assistance. Naturally, we must keep the epidemiological and sanitary situation in the disaster zones under review, as well as carry out damage assessment. This is difficult work; it must be carried out carefully and on an individual basis with each affected family. In short, we must act professionally and systematically.

Let us begin our work. Please report on the current situation and on the measures taken to deal with the aftermath of the disaster at this very moment.

The floor is given to Alexander Kurenkov of the Emergencies Ministry. Please, go ahead.

To be continued.