Authorities in Kurgan province, in Russia’s Urals, ordered the evacuation of several areas today due to rising river levels, following melting snow and heavy rains that fell on a terrain that was already flooded before the winter.

The area of Russian Urals and northern Kazakhstan they are often hit by floods this time of year, but are seeing the worst this year and authorities in Kurgan have reported that the Tobol River has already exceeded the highest level recorded in 1994.

“Now is the time to collect things and documents and find a place for pets,” authorities said on the Telegram app, urging residents to leave the dangerous areas.

Kurgan is home to an important part of Russia’s military-industrial complex – a huge factory that produces infantry fighting vehicles for the army, which are in high demand in Ukraine where Russian forces are attacking some areas.

There is no information on whether the factory, the Kurganmashzavodhas been affected at all so far.

The TASS news agency reported, citing emergency services, that the water level in Tobol is expected to peak in the next two to three days.

In the Orenburganother flood-affected area, the waters are receding, according to local authorities.

Yesterday, Friday, the Orsk refinery, which had stopped production due to the floods, resumed fuel production. The refinery had previously declared force majeure in fuel supply from April 8.