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)