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Chinese Premier Sends Consolatory Telegram on Russia's Flood Havoc
Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Thursday sent a telegram of consolation to his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Mikhailovich Kasyanov, for the severe flood havoc raging in eastern Siberia.
"I am shocked to learn that some areas along the Lena River and the Volga River are being devastated by the worst flood seen in a century in Russia that is causing heavy losses in both human lives and property. Hereby, on behalf of the Chinese government and people as well as in my name, I express deep sympathy and consolation to you and through you to the people who are affected by the flood," said Zhu in the telegram.
Although the Siberian rivers flood regularly, a seldom-seen cold winter and a warm spring this year have combined to create an unusually lot of ice jams in the rivers, which might help explain the high severity of the deluge. Authorities and emergency workers have used jet bombers to battle ice jams, but some downstream villages are still under threat.
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