Flood victims in Siberia complain authorities failed to warn them

A member of the Russian Emergencies Ministry takes part in a rescue operation in the area affected by heavy floods in Irkutsk Region, Russia in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on July 2, 2019. Russian Emergencies Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

IRKUTSK REGION, Russia (Reuters) - Russian residents of the Siberian region of Irkutsk devastated by a fatal flood have accused the authorities of failing to give them adequate warning that could have helped save lives and avert damage.

The floods, which began on June 25 and have hit almost 100 settlements in southeastern Siberia, have killed 18 people, the region's governor Sergei Levchenko said on Tuesday. The Emergencies Ministry said 13 people were missing.

"If we'd been informed...there wouldn't have been these victims, none of the catastrophic destruction that we see here," one resident complained angrily on Monday to the region's governor who personally met residents on the street.

A local resident with a dog stands on a road in the area affected by heavy floods in Irkutsk Region, Russia in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on July 2, 2019. Russian Emergencies Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

Footage released by the Emergencies Ministry on Monday showed debris and whole houses that had been swept up in the flood and then carried downstream before snagging under a bridge and piling up.

The Emergency Ministry said more than 1,250 people had been treated in hospital.

State television reported the flood was caused by freak downpours of rain that caused the river to swell and burst its banks.

A member of the Russian Emergencies Ministry takes part in a rescue operation in the area affected by heavy floods in Irkutsk Region, Russia in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on July 2, 2019. Russian Emergencies Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

The Russian army was called in to help with the rescue operation after President Vladimir Putin visited the area on Sunday following the G20 Summit in Japan.

(Reporting by Reuters TV; writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Peter Graff)

Members of the Russian Emergencies Ministry evacuate people during a rescue operation in the area affected by heavy floods in Irkutsk Region, Russia in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on July 2, 2019. Russian Emergencies Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

Members of the Russian Emergencies Ministry evacuate people during a rescue operation in the area affected by heavy floods in Irkutsk Region, Russia in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on July 2, 2019. Russian Emergencies Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

Members of the Russian Emergencies Ministry evacuate a child during a rescue operation in the area affected by heavy floods in Irkutsk Region, Russia in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on July 2, 2019. Russian Emergencies Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

A member of the Russian Emergencies Ministry distributes food during a rescue operation in the area affected by heavy floods in Irkutsk Region, Russia in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on July 2, 2019. Russian Emergencies Ministry/Handout via REUTERS