Russia has described the Ural river flooding as a “very very tense” situation, as water levels continue to rise.

Thousands of people have had to flee their homes in southern Russia, and officials in neighbouring Kazakhstan say the number of evacuees there has risen to 97,000.

It comes as water levels in the river – Europe’s third longest – rose to over 10m (33ft) on Wednesday, well above its bursting point, after rapidly melting snow and ice caused them to swell.

Despite the flooding being described as the worst to hit the region in 80 years, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there are no plans for President Vladimir Putin to visit the flood zone.

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