Death toll from southern Kazakhstan flood rises to 37

The death toll in southern Kazakhstan's flood has risen to 37, the majority of the victims are women and children.

The death toll in southern Kazakhstan's flood has risen to 37, the majority of the victims are women and children, the republic's emergencies ministry reported on Tuesday.

"As of 22:00 local time [19:00 GMT] Monday, 37 people died, including nine men, 17 women and 11 children," the ministry said.

A total of 211 people were injured as flood waters swept away two dams due to unusually heavy precipitation and melting snows on Friday. Railroad traffic has been suspended and a number of highways are closed in the region due to floods.

The government has allocated almost 600 million tenge ($4.1 million) to deal with the aftermath of the flood and pay compensations to those affected.

The country's prime minister Karim Masimov assumed personal control of relief efforts.

ASTANA, March 16 (RIA Novosti)