A major flood in the southern Urals has caused widespread devastation, leading to thousands of Russians being forced to evacuate their homes. Frustration has boiled over among residents of Orsk, one of the hardest-hit areas, as they criticize the authorities' response and demand assistance from President Vladimir Putin.

The flooding was exacerbated by extreme seasonal floods in northern parts of Kazakhstan and Russia's Orenburg region, which share a border with the affected areas. Reports from Kazakh media indicate that over 15,000 people have already been evacuated since the water levels started rising in early April.

In Orsk, a city with a population of approximately 200,000 people, the Ural River breached a dam on Friday, resulting in significant flooding. The Investigative Committee, Russia's main investigative body, has initiated a criminal case against the responsible parties due to the "violation of safety measures" and "negligence." The poor maintenance of the dam is believed to have played a role in the breach.

The situation worsened when another part of the dam failed a day later, leading to further flooding in nearby villages. The Orsk oil refinery has suspended operations in order to mitigate potential ecological risks.

According to authorities, more than 6,500 individuals have been evacuated, and over 10,000 homes in the region have been flooded. The floods in the Orenburg region prompted Russian authorities to declare a federal emergency. Governor Denis Pasler stated that these were the worst floods the area has experienced in recorded history.

Despite warnings from the local prosecutor's office against staging demonstrations, several hundred people gathered outside the mayor's office in Orsk, expressing their discontent. Protesters chanted slogans such as "Shame!" and "Putin, help us!" while demanding the resignation of Mayor Vasily Kozupitsa. They also called for higher payouts and better assistance for families who had been forced out of their homes.

These demonstrations represent a rare outpouring of public anger in Russia, where dissent is typically suppressed. Mayor Kozupitsa had visited the dam just two days before its collapse, assuring the public that there was no risk of a breach. His statements contradicted reports of rising water levels.

In an attempt to address the protesters, Kozupitsa joined the crowd, but a police-provided loudspeaker malfunctioned. He eventually invited a group of protesters inside the building for talks with Governor Pasler, according to local media.

The Kremlin has issued warnings that water levels in some areas are rising at an unprecedented rate, surpassing levels seen in the past century. Regional authorities anticipate the flood's peak on Tuesday, with hopes that the situation will stabilize by April 20.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that President Putin has ordered the governors of the Tyumen and Kurgan regions, which lie east of the river, to prepare for an expected increase in water levels and subsequent floods. However, there are currently no plans for Putin to visit the affected regions.

Initial estimates from Orenburg officials suggest that the flood damage has already amounted to approximately $226 million. Aid payments have been allocated to affected families, ranging from $500 to $1,000 per person for lost property. However, locals argue that these amounts are insufficient to compensate for their flooded homes.

The dam responsible for the breach was designed to withstand water levels no higher than 18 feet. However, regional authorities have reported that the river had risen to 31 feet by Saturday. The dam has faced previous investigations related to embezzlement and construction errors, with concerns raised about its structural integrity and construction quality.

The consequences of the severe flooding are adding to the challenges faced by the affected regions. As efforts continue to mitigate the damage and provide support to the displaced, authorities are bracing for the full impact of this historic catastrophe.