At least 22 people, including six children, are considered to be dead as floodwaters peak in western Ukraine. About 40,000 houses are destroyed or damaged by the raging water, and over 20,000 residents are displaced.

“Neighbours helped us and the chief of the village council did what he could. He promised to give us bread. We helped each other and moved to the other bank which was not flooded,” said a local resident evacuated due to floods.

A state of emergency has been declared in the regions affected.

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has visited the area.

“These floods are a challenge for all of us. I want to point out that this is an emergency situation at a state level. Severe weather has affected five regions – we're checking all the details at the moment,” Yushchenko said.