MOSCOW, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Severe flooding across Russia's Dagestan Republic has resulted in the deaths of approximately 3,000 head of livestock and 60,000 domestic poultry, regional authorities said on Tuesday.
Sergei Melikov, head of Dagestan, told a meeting with the media and local people that the losses have significantly affected local farming communities and smallholders who rely on agriculture as their primary source of income.
Melikov has instructed the regional veterinary committee and other related departments to assess the damage accurately for the regional government "to make a well-informed request for aid through appropriate channels."
The heavy rains in Dagestan, which occurred from the last days of March to early April, triggered widespread flooding, disrupting water and electricity supplies across the region. Landslides and mudslides further damaged roads and bridges, exacerbating the disaster. Emergency evacuations were carried out in several cities and districts as homes were inundated.
