Russia's Putin orders inquiry into handling of floods


Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting during his visit to Khabarovsk August 29, 2013. REUTERS/Aleksey Nikolskyi/RIA Novosti/Kremlin

KHABAROVSK, Russia (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin ordered an inquiry on Thursday into local officials' handling of Russia's worst floods in 120 years, which have cost the country nearly $1 billion (645 million pounds).

Putin made the announcement after visiting devastated regions in Russia's far east where houses are half-submerged, streets and fields have disappeared under water and thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes.

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