Floods kill 46 in southern Russia

Moscow: Flash floods caused by heavy rains in Russia's southern Krasnodarsky Krai region have killed 46 people and affected nearly 13,000 over the past two days, officials said on Saturday.

Authorities discovered 35 bodies in the Krymsk district, while nine people died in the Black Sea resort town of Gelendzhik and another two died in the port of Novorossiisk, spokesman for regional police Igor Zhelyabin said.

"The floods were very strong. Even traffic lights were ripped out," said Zhelyabin.

"Evacuations are under way," he said, adding authorities were now working to identify the bodies.

"It is hard to establish where they came from."

Overall, the floods affected the homes of nearly 13,000 people, the administration of the Krasnodarsky Krai region said in a separate statement.