In the middle of summer 2013, the Far East suffered catastrophically terrible floods. At this time, floods in the Far East led to the consumption of water in the Amur in the amount of 46 thousand m³ / s. For comparison, a flow rate of 18–20 thousand m³ / s is considered the norm. This phenomenon broke all records and became the largest in 115 years of observation. The main cause of the flood is heavy rainfall over a long period of time.
Flooded Russian Amur Region
Floods in the Russian Far East affected three regions to a greater extent: the Amur Region, the Khabarovsk Territory, and the Jewish Autonomous Region. In these areas, a huge amount of agricultural land, with a total number of ten billion rubles, was affected. Excess water completely flooded the reservoirs belonging to the Bureyskaya and Zeyskaya hydroelectric power stations. Floods began in late August, and on August 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the region. As part of his visit, he personally inspected the flooding area from a helicopter and studied the reports of the heads of the affected regions. Based on the results of the information received, Vladimir Vladimirovich freed Viktor Ishaev, the president’s representative in the Far Eastern District, from all powers . On August 7, an emergency mode was introduced in five regions of the Far East: Yakutia, Amur Region, Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, and the Jewish Autonomous Republic.
Consequences in the Amur Region
One hundred twenty-six settlements fell under the flood in the Amur Region. Eight thousand dwelling houses were flooded, which left 36,339 people homeless, ten thousand of which were children. Also, twenty thousand vegetable gardens and summer cottages fell under flooding. The emergency mode remained in the Amur Region for more than a year, from July 23, 2013 to October 1, 2014. After the start of the evacuation of victims, more than one hundred and twenty thousand people received help.
The suffering of Khabarovsk
The years of floods in the Far East stretched like an eternity. The life of the residents of the Khabarovsk Territory was also painful. As of September 14, 77 flooded settlements were registered here. Including three thousand residential buildings in which 35 thousand people lived. In Khabarovsk, the water level rose for thirteen days without stopping. Initially, it was 716 cm, which is 116 cm higher than the critical mark and 74 cm higher than the record level. By August 31, the level was fixed at around 784 cm, September 1, 792 cm, and 4 already 80 cm. A decrease was noticed only on September 5.
The first reason is blocking anticyclone
The first most important and significant cause of flooding in the Far East was the abnormal changes in the process of circulation in the air masses in the region of southern Siberia and the Far East. This imbalance led to the formation of protracted cyclones with high power. For a better understanding of the situation, it is important to consider the parameters of humidity and temperature in flooded regions. So before the flood in the summer period over the northern territory of China, a high temperature regime was observed, accompanied by high humidity. At the same time, over Yakutia was a low temperature with dry air. This situation arose due to the blocking anticyclone that appeared over the Pacific Ocean. This wave stopped a powerful cyclone over the Amur region. It was the blocking anticyclone that did not allow the cyclone to escape to the Sea of Okhotsk with the necessary speed. As a result, by July 2013, a stationary frontal zone hung over the Amur Region. It was along it for two months that cyclones saturated with tropical moisture alternately moved. That was the reason for the annual precipitation over the Amur and Jewish Autonomous Oblasts. As a result, there was a simultaneous activation of all flood areas, which led to flooding in the Far East. Previously, synchronous activation of all zones at once was not observed. To avoid flooding in the Far East, it is necessary that the floods first fall on the upper Amur and Burei, and later, at about the end of August, on the Sungari and Ussuri.
The second reason is snowy winter
Within the Amur basin, an excessively snowy winter and late spring were observed, which provoked a flood in the Far East. These reasons do not seem so significant in their name, but their form has led to irreversible consequences. It was these factors that led to the flood in early July 2013, provided that the soil was sufficiently saturated with water in the range of 70-80%. There is a threat that this situation may take a permanent basis. Forest fires with deforestation also played a significant role. After all, it is the forest that has an environmental function, but, unfortunately, the Far East could count on this protective mechanism.
Terrible flood trail
In fact, six regions were affected by the floods, including the Amur and Magadan regions, the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, the Jewish Autonomous Region and the Republic of Sakha. The strongest blow came in the Amur region. According to the Ministry of Emergencies, as a result, more than 8 million km² of total territory was flooded in the Far East. Water flooded thirteen and a half thousand apartment buildings, every fifth of them became absolutely unsuitable for further residence. The catastrophe affected one hundred and thirty-five thousand inhabitants of the Far East, thirty-two thousand were evacuated. Floods affected roads (1.6 thousand km), bridges (174 units) and social facilities (825 units). For agricultural enterprises, the year was especially unprofitable. The inability to procure sufficient food supply led to a hungry winter for cows and a lack of milk. Until 2013, floods in the Far East with such consequences were not observed.
Help in a difficult situation
The flood in the Far East, whose photo shocked millions of people, made people worry. You cannot be prepared for a disaster, so the flood scared absolutely all the locals. Many people hastened to support the victims and help them. The flood (Far East) left a huge number of people without a place of residence and means of subsistence. Humanitarian aid and funds for people affected by the flood were collected, we can say, by the whole world. Various enterprises, organizations, ordinary people from different regions of Russia, as well as foreign countries took part in this process. The Ministry of Emergencies of the Republic of Belarus at the very beginning of September 2013 provided the victims with 43 tons of a variety of canned goods and baby food. A month later, another supply arrived from Belarus with the help of 100 tons of flour and 50 tons of stew. At the end of September, 35 tons of products, clothes and bedding came from St. Petersburg. Employees of the UMMC of the Sverdlovsk region collected 45 tons of humanitarian aid. Astrakhan police also did not remain indifferent and helped the victims with cash in the amount of 5.5 million rubles. Also 11 million rubles. received from the Volgograd police. A million yen came from Niagara’s leadership to help flood victims in the Khabarovsk Territory. These, of course, are not all examples, at that time almost everyone was ready to help.