Mudslides Force Evacuations and Leave Thousands Without Water Near Mount Elbrus

Approximately 3,000 individuals were deprived of water, and over 350 residents were relocated to safer areas due to mudslides near Mount Elbrus in the Kabardino-Balkaria region of southern Russia, according to officials on Friday.

A state of emergency has been declared in the Elbrussky municipal district, prompting evacuations after significant rainfall on Thursday led to mudslides.

Kantemir Berov, a spokesperson for the Emergency Situations Ministry, reported that 372 individuals were evacuated from locations at risk of flooding.

The mudslides have caused damage to the water supply infrastructure in Tyrnauz, the administrative center of the district, which has a population of 21,000 and is situated near the Georgian border. The ministry noted that approximately 3,000 residents were left without access to safe drinking water.

Although no new mudslides were detected as of Friday morning, officials cautioned that the region remains vulnerable to additional incidents.

The Gerkhozhan-Su river, which runs through the area, also experienced mudslides earlier in the week.

Mount Elbrus, a dormant stratovolcano, is the highest mountain in both Russia and Europe, standing at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) above sea level.