Russia's Far East braced for more record floods The authorities in Russia's Far East - already under pressure from record floods - are expecting a further rise in water levels over the weekend. As many as 50,000 people have been affected by the heavy rains and farms villages submerged. The city of Khabarovsk on the Amur and Ussury rivers has been severely affected. "I just went to the shops to pick up some waterproof boots and now they are no use," said one resident in Khabarovsk. Soldiers have been drafted in to help construct temporary flood defences. The authorities said the crisis was far from over. Denis Ilyinov from the emergency services in Khabarovsk explained: "Forecasters are expecting the floods to peak on Sunday. But that doesn't mean that as soon as it reaches its peak it will start to fall. It will stay around for a while. The Kremlin has come under fire for its handling of the crisis. In response President Vladimir Putin said he will inspect the flood area and dispatch 10 ministers, including deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov, to assist in relief efforts. More about: Flood, Khabarovsk, Natural catastrophe, Russia, Vladimir Putin, Weather