At least three people have been killed and dozens more injured in twin disasters that have struck Russia this week.
* **Flash floods** in southern Russia have killed at least two people and left dozens more missing. The floods were caused by heavy rains that overwhelmed storm drains in the coastal town of Tuapse, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the resort of Sochi.
* **A wildfire** in the Urals region has killed one woman and injured two others. The fire spread quickly due to dry and windy weather, burning 41 houses.
The Russian government has declared a state of emergency in both regions. Emergency workers are still searching for missing people and trying to contain the fires.
This is the latest in a series of severe weather events to hit Russia this summer. In June, a heatwave killed more than 50 people in the country’s south.
The Russian government has been criticized for its handling of the recent disasters. Some experts say that the government has not done enough to prepare for natural disasters, and that its response to the recent events has been slow and inadequate.
The disasters have also highlighted the challenges facing Russia as it grapples with climate change. The country is already experiencing the effects of climate change, including more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires. These disasters are likely to become more common in the future, putting a strain on Russia’s infrastructure and resources.