During a visit to the Far Eastern Federal District Prime Minister Vladimir Putin holds a working meeting with Magadan Region Governor Nikolai Dudov
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: A state of emergency has been declared in your region due to the floods. What is being done in response to the flooding and to help people?
Nikolai Dudov: The response headquarters is up and it has identified how dangerous the flooding is. A decision has been taken to stabilise the situation. These efforts include the regional department of the Emergencies Situations Ministry and road maintenance companies. This being a federal motorway, the federal road maintenance agencies have also sent in equipment and provided the necessary funds to repair the ruptures.
Vladimir Putin: Road ruptures.
Nikolai Dudov: Yes. The water is still high in rivers and streams. However, efforts are being taken to mend the road ruptures.
Vladimir Putin: There are settlements that have been isolated by water.
Nikolai Dudov: Yes, that's true. Two-way traffic on the federal motorway has effectively stopped at this point. About 40 vehicles on either side can not drive through. So we plan to assist those people who ended up in this situation with both accommodation and food. In special emergencies when there's an urgent need to transport people across this natural barrier we make a special effort. We transport those who need help like this.
I believe the situation will stabilise soon. I would like to emphasise once again that the workers deployed in the region are making this possible.
Vladimir Putin: Do you have a sufficient work forces and resources?
Nikolai Dudov: We will be able to mend this road rupture ourselves.
Vladimir Putin: If you evacuate people from the emergency area you will have to provide them with everything they need including food and accommodation. We also need to look ahead to see what will happen to their property. Some property may be lost to the floods.
Nikolai Dudov: Major problems have arisen, Mr Prime Minister, in regard to people leaving on vacation. There are flights, the tickets to which have been purchased, and we are addressing this issue. We are trying to explain departure delays, to settle related issues, trying to arrange other flights so that people are not stranded.
Vladimir Putin: Do you mean those people who are blocked on the roads?
Nikolai Dudov: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: I'm speaking about local residents.
Nikolai Dudov: The villages are currently in no serious danger.
Vladimir Putin: Well, there are settlements isolated by water, aren't there?
Nikolai Dudov: All the settlements have the necessary reserves for this emergency.
Vladimir Putin: Okay. But you have to supervise the situation personally.
Nikolai Dudov: Okay.
Vladimir Putin: Naturally, we have to help people who are stopped on the roads. They may be completely isolated.
Nikolai Dudov: Mr Putin, we have all the necessary technical resources to transport those people who want to get from one side to the other in an emergency. We have this capability.
Vladimir Putin: Good. Report back to me on the situation later today.
Nikolai Dudov: Good.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you.
