The death toll from flooding in southern Russia has risen to 53 as rescue workers continue to evacuate residents.
An estimated 53,000 people have been forced to leave their homes since Tuesday when the rains began. Though waters are receding in some areas, flooding has washed away homes, roads and bridges.
One of the worst-hit regions is Dagestan, on the border with Chechnya.
One-third of the region's territory is flooded, and 400 homes are damaged or destroyed, said a spokesman for Dagestan's emergency ministry.
Power and telephone lines have been knocked out, and 617 acres of farmland have been destroyed, he said.
Moscow has sent planeloads of aid to the south and ordered military units throughout the region to help.
Russian President Mr Vladimir Putin also ordered a commission to help the region recover from an estimated Stg£70 million worth of damage.
PA