Satellite image of floods in Yakutia.
Roscosmos has released a satellite image illustrating the aftermath of severe floods in Yakutia, where the Indigirka River significantly overflowed its banks, submerging sections of roads and parts of several villages.
According to the state corporation, the substantial flooding event took place in the Oymyakonsky District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) late last week. The satellite imagery, captured by Russia`s “Resurs-P” satellite, clearly depicts the extent of the inundated territories.
Intense and prolonged rainfall was identified as the primary cause for the sharp and rapid rise in the water level of the Indigirka River. This led to the widespread inundation of numerous private properties and residential areas within the Oymyakonsky District.
The severity of the situation necessitated immediate action, and as a result, traffic on a critical section (between the 1102 and 1117-kilometer marks) of the federal highway R-504 “Kolyma,” which connects Yakutsk and Magadan, has been completely shut down for all types of vehicles since August 18. This closure was enforced due to extensive erosion and damage to the roadbed caused by the heavy downpours.
Furthermore, emergency rescue teams were deployed to the affected region. They successfully evacuated 13 individuals who had been in the Oymyakonsky District for their summer vacation, ensuring their safety from the rising floodwaters.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth