WEST SIBERIA FACES DELUGE, WARN WEATHER EXPERTS








TOMSK, MARCH 10, 2001. /from RIA Novosti's Natalia Reshetnikova/ -- Water will rise by 10 to 11 metres in West Siberia's Ob, Tom and Chulym rivers in an upcoming spring inundation to flood a vast and congested industrial area with 96 urban and rural settlements, total population 71,000, warn weather experts. This was reported by regional administration PR.


	The Vasyugan, Ket and Tym rivers have brighter prospects with not so much snow.


	Flood also threatens lowland in Tomsk's heart. More than 30,000 may have to evacuate. 


	The regional governor is drafting a drainage order. The region is making an emergency stock.


	The Tomsk Region has more than 1,500 big and small rivers.