Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 18, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleRescuers in Yakutia, Russia, saved over 100 people and their pets from floods caused by heavy rain, highlighting climate change impacts.
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Rescuers ferried more than 100 people to safety this week, along with their farm animals and pets, after floodwaters caused by heavy rain engulfed villages in a sparsely-populated part of eastern Russia.
Emergency crews piloted rubber dinghies down flooded streets in settlements in Russia's Sakha Republic, also known as Yakutia, a vast region larger than Argentina.
Some villagers clambered out of windows and were taken on piggyback into waiting boats. Rescuers also took in cows, hens and at least one pet hamster, video released by the region's emergencies ministry showed.
Yakutia, a swampy and forested region, has been hit by a string of floods and fires in recent years - extreme weather-related events that scientists say are exacerbated by climate change.
Authorities have put out 169 forest fires in this fire season alone, which runs roughly from the beginning of May until the end of September.
This week, aerial footage showed villages submerged in brackish floods, with just roofs showing among the water.
Around a third of those rescued were children, the ministry said. In all, 93 residential buildings were flooded in eight villages, it added.
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperatures and weather patterns over time. It is primarily driven by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Disaster management involves the planning and coordination of efforts to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the impacts of disasters. It aims to minimize damage and ensure safety during emergencies.
Sustainability is the practice of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
Insurance is a financial arrangement that provides protection against potential future losses or damages. It involves the transfer of risk from an individual or business to an insurance company in exchange for premium payments.
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