RUSSIA IN FLAMES OF WILDFIRES
Baku, August 3 (AZERTAC). After about two months of an unprecedented exhausting heat July has broken the air temperature record for 130 years of weather monitoring, and the average monthly air temperature exceeded the norm by over seven degrees Celsius, as a result of which central Russia is just burning in flames, Itar-Tass reports. The forests and whole settlements are burning. President Dmitry Medvedev declared a state of emergency in seven regions, which were mostly affected in natural and humanitarian catastrophes. The death toll from wildfires in Russia reached 40 people. Wildfires engulfed 17 federal constituents.
The weather forecasters do not promise anything consolatory. According to weather forecasts, the daily air temperatures will exceed 30 degrees Celsius until at least August 12. The air temperature may skyrocket over 40 degrees Celsius this weekend.
Medvedev addressed to Russian citizens, urging them to show vigilance, and pledged that the burnt houses would be built before the onset of frosts.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the assistance to fire-affected people. The maximum compensation will make 3.2 million roubles (95,000 U.S. dollars): by 100,000 roubles from federal and regional budgets for the burnt property, two million roubles for housing construction and one million roubles for infrastructure. Each family of fire victims will receive one million roubles.
The premier stated that regional chiefs will be personally responsible for the construction of new housing, “It is necessary to control the appropriate spending of allocated funds, avert abuses from public servants and those who hope to earn on our common grief. Houses will be restored at real market prices, and the lists of fire-affected people should be checked thoroughly. Swindlers and villains should not get the slightest chance to take advantage of the current situation.”
Experts estimated the space of burnt houses at 190,000-250,000 square meters (80-120 square meters for a house) and new housing at 250,000-300,000 square meters (100-150 square meters).
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